UC-NRLF 


B    3    357    3flb 


THE  > 

eagle's 

WING 


SARA  MILLER 


JAOT 1O0KSAKGER  MEMDMIAL 


UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 


<$&/))&)*  i* 


UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 


SAEA  MILLER 


•       *  •  e 


• •».*  •  v  » 


PHILADELPHIA 

The  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America 

1899 


I    „  Copyright,  1899,  by 

•|*  he  Jewish  Publication  Society  of  America 


f&>ri*4ppts 


Z$t  JSorb  (gaUimovt  (pre** 

THE  FRIEDENWALD  COMPANY 

BALTIMORE,  MO.,  U.  S.  A. 


PREFATORY  NOTE 

The  portrait  of  Moses  Maimonides 
which  forms  the  frontispiece  of  this 
volume  is  indirectly  derived  from 
the  Thesaurus  Ugolini,  Venice,  1744, 
volume  I,  page  384.  The  author  of 
the  Thesaurus  makes  the  statement 
that  it  was  taken  from  an  old 
painting.  Its  authenticity  cannot, 
however,  be  said  to  be  established. 
The  signature  is  after  a  photograph 
of  a  letter  recovered  from  the  Cairo 
Genizah  by  Dr.  S.  Schechter. 


^45487 


CONTENTS 


Chapter 

Page 

I     A  Stranger  from  the  North      .       .  7 

II     The  Beginning  of  a  Friendship       .       .  25 

III  Stolen  Waters 47 

IV  The  Seder 66 

V     Champion  of  His  Faith  ....  81 

VI     A  Perillous  Mission        ....  gs 

VII     A  Desert  Journey      ....  113 

VIII     An  Old  Score 141 

IX     The  Moslem  Camp      ....  iqq 

X     The  Jew's  Revenge 190 

XI     Dreams  Fulfilled 222 


UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 
CHAPTER  I 

A  STRANGER  FROM  THE   NORTH 

During  the  reign  of  Sultan  Saladin, 
Europe,  swept  by  an  outburst  of 
religious  feeling,  prepared  a  great 
military  expedition,  the  purpose  of 
which  was  to  wrest  the  Holy  Sepul- 
chre from  its  Saracen  possessors. 
So  enormous  was  the  extent  of  the 
enterprise,  and  so  great  the  excite- 
ment attending  it,  that  there  was 
hardly  a  Christian  of  standing  who, 
though  he  had  but  a  handful  of  fol- 
lowers, was  not  making  ready  to 
join  the  Crusade. 


#,;  «j  DTfp^  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

The  wealth  of  that  time  consisted 
principally  of  large  estates,  owned 
by  noblemen  and  cultivated  by 
vassals.  The  dependents,  in  return 
for  a  lord's  protection  and  the  use 
of  his  lands,  rendered  him  a  tithe 
of  their  crops  and  what  military 
service  he  demanded.  Thus  many 
a  nobleman,  whose  bounteous  board 
and  great  castle  made  it  no  tax  to 
support  a  company  of  men-at-arms, 
was  now  hard  put  to  it  to  secure 
equipment  and  transportation  for 
his  followers.  Even  kings  felt  the 
lack  of  ready  money. 

Commerce,  always  the  greatest 
source  of  wealth  to  a  nation,  was 
almost  entirely  in  the  hands  of  the 
Jews.  Forbidden  to  possess  lands, 
they  were  obliged  to  turn  to  barter 
as  a  means  of  livelihood.      Every 


A  STRANGER  FROM  THE  NORTH       9 

occupation  closed  to  him,  the  Jew 
bent  all  his  energies  upon  the  ac- 
cumulation of  treasures,  and  many- 
were  the  tales  told  of  the  fabulous 
wealth  of  Jewish  merchants. 

When  the  leaders  of  the  Crusade 
began  to  feel  the  need  of  gold,  their 
attention  naturally  turned  to  the 
hoarded  riches  of  these  despised 
people.  Even  so  great  a  king  as 
Richard  of  England  considered  it 
no  shame  to  appropriate  by  vio- 
lence the  money  he  required.  Fan- 
atical mobs  robbed  and  pillaged  the 
Jewish  quarters,  and  it  was  a  com- 
mon occurrence  for  half  the  Jews 
of  a  city  to  be  murdered. 

So  it  happened  that,  having  been 
orphaned  by  the  excess  of  piety 
which  usually  followed  the  Jew's 
denial  of    a  Christian's   demands, 


10        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Joseph  Ibn  Assan  found  himself 
wandering  about  the  Egyptian  city 
of  Fostat,  hoping  there  to  find  the 
refuge  he  sought. 

It  was  Friday,  the  Mahometan 
Sabbath.  The  muezzins  were  chant- 
ing the  noon  salutation  from  the 
minarets  of  a  mosque  Closely 
wrapped  in  his  burnoose,  Joseph 
rested  in  the  shade  of  neighboring 
trees  and  shrubbery.  As  he  watched 
the  crowds  moving  toward  their 
place  of  worship,  he  changed  his 
position  in  order  to  see  the  devotions 
of  the  Moslems,  but  he  was  careful 
to  remain  unobserved,  for  he  knew 
that  at  their  prayers  the  Mahome- 
tans tolerated  none  whom  they  con- 
sidered infidels. 

The  service  was  long  finished,  but 
our  youth  still  lingered,  unwilling 


A  STRANGER  FROM  THE  NORTH  11  , 

to  leave  the  shelter  of  his  lounging- 
place  for  the  uncertainty  of  the 
streets.  Finally  he  arose,  and,  giv- 
ing himself  a  shake,  shouldered  his 
bundle. 

"  Joseph,  my  lad,"  he  said,  "thou 
hadst  best  be  jogging  along,  for 
thou  must  find  shelter  ere  the  Sab- 
bath sets  in."  He  forthwith  de- 
serted the  shade  of  the  grove  for 
the  streets,  where  he  stood  in  un- 
certainty, until,  seeing  that  his  per- 
plexity was  attracting  notice,  he 
made  bold  to  accost  a  passer-by. 

"  Canst  thou  tell  me,"  he  asked, 
mustering  the  Arabic  his  father 
had  taught  him,  "  where  Moses  Ibn 
Maimon  dwells  ? " 

"One  could  scarcely  remain  a 
day  in  Fostat,  and  not  discover 
that,"  answered  the  pedestrian,  "for 


*    12        UKDEB  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

we  all  have  cause  to  know  him. 
The  physician  of  the  Sultan,  may 
Allah  preserve  him,  is  the  best 
known  of  all  great  men.  Well  is  he 
called  Moses,  for  who  but  one  that 
deserves  to  be  ranked  with  Allah's 
saints  could  be  so  noble  and  still  a 
Jew  ?  If  thou  seekest  the  benefit  of 
his  healing  art,  thou  must  wait  until 
his  duties  at  the  palace  are  over. 
So  many  are  the  poor  he  attendeth 
that,  'tis  said,  he  giveth  to  them  as 
much  time  as  to  the  royal  family." 
"  Tis  not  as  a  patient  I  would  see 
him,"  answered  Joseph,  while  the 
man  stared  at  the  travel-stained 
and  ragged  youth,  who  apparently 
had  no  idea  of  the  eminence  of 
Maimon's  position.  He  courteously 
gave  the  requested  information, 
and    Joseph,    thanking    him,  con- 


A  STRANGER  FEOM  THE  NORTH  13 

tinued  his  quest.  He  searched  the 
better  part  of  the  city,  scanning 
closely  the  overhanging  casements 
and  deep-set  doors,  until  he  found 
the  house  which  corresponded  to 
the  description  given  him.  Here 
he  paused,  somewhat  daunted  by 
its  palatial  appearance  and  the  lack 
of  life  which  it  shared  with  its 
neighbors.  At  not  a  single  window 
a  face  was  visible.  There  he  stood, 
uncertain  how  to  proceed,  and  feel- 
ing so  strange  and  homesick  that 
he  almost  regretted  having  come. 
With  an  effort  he  aroused  himself, 
saying,  "He  who  dares  not,  wins 
not,"  and  ventured  in. 

Undiscovered  he  penetrated  to  a 
small  court,  evidently  meant  for 
the  visitors  of  the  great  physician, 
but  now  empty. 


14        UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Excepting  the  space  occupied  by 
a  cooling  fountain,  the  ground 
was  paved  with  black  and  white 
marble.  At  the  sides  were  low 
seats  covered  with  cushions.  The 
corners  were  filled  with  a  profusion 
of  potted  plants,  which  gave  the 
place  a  garden-like  appearance. 

Joseph  was  wondering  if  he  ought 
to  announce  his  presence,  or  wait 
until  he  was  observed,  when  he  be- 
came aware  of  a  slave  who  re- 
garded him  with  natural  suspicion. 

"Who  art  thou,  and  what  dost 
thou  here?"  she  asked  sharply. 

"  I  ask  pardon  if  I  have  trans- 
gressed in  entering  thus,  for,  being 
a  stranger  in  the  city,  I  know  not 
its  ways.  I  would  fain  see  Rabbi 
Maimon,  if  he  dwells  here." 

"  It  is  his  home,  but  what  wouldst 
thou  of  him?" 


A  STRANGER  FROM  THE  NORTH     15 

"  Prithee,  tell  him  that  a  stranger 
from  the  North  doth  crave  speech 
of  him." 

She  soon  returned,  and,  bidding 
Joseph  follow,  entered  the  house 
through  a  door  which  opened  into 
the  court.  They  passed  through  a 
room,  luxurious  in  its  furnishing 
and  indicating  the  wealth  of  the 
owners,  who  had  surrounded  them- 
selves with  the  best  that  Moorish 
art  could  suggest.  Rich  draperies 
were  hung  from  cornices  of  carved 
wood,  and  what  little  wood  was  vis- 
ible in  the  furniture  was  wrought 
in  delicate,  open-work  fashion.  The 
mosaic  floor  was  partially  covered 
with  heavy  rugs.  Close  to  the  wall 
was  the  estrade  usually  seen  in 
Eastern  houses,  in  this  case  uphol- 
stered with  brocade  and  decorated 


16       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

with  piles  of  brightly  covered  cush- 
ions. 

"  Evidently  a  reception  room," 
thought  Joseph,  as  they  left  it  to 
enter  one  of  far  different  appear- 
ance, which  might  have  been  either 
the  laboratory  of  a  chemist  or  the 
study  of  a  scholar. 

Seated  at  a  table,  a  dignified  man 
of  apparently  fifty  was  intently 
watching  the  contents  of  a  tube  be- 
fore him,  while  he  absent-mindedly 
stroked  his  beard.  Without  raising 
his  eyes,  he  motioned  the  visitor  to 
a  low  stool,  and  continued  to  ob- 
serve the  progress  of  his  experi- 
ment. 

Nothing  loath,  Joseph  sat  down 
an  interested  spectator,  but  his 
attention  soon  wandered  to  the 
chemist,  whose  stern  face  with  its 


A  STRANGER  FROM  THE  NORTH  17 

heavy  black  beard  was  made  more 
forbidding  by  a  deep  frown.  Joseph 
was  not  surprised,  for  Maimonides 
was  known  throughout  the  Jewish 
world  as  the  foremost  scholar  of 
his  time,  whose  wonderfully  acute 
works  had  earned  for  him  the 
epithet  of  the  "  Great  Eagle,"  as  well 
as  made  him  many  enemies  within 
the  Synagogue,  in  which  he  was  a 
leader.  As  Joseph  sat  there,  he  could 
not  help  wondering  if  the  face  before 
him  ever  relaxed  into  a  smile.  His 
thoughts  were  answered  by  a  twin- 
kle in  the  deep-set  eyes  of  the  Rabbi, 
who  had  noticed  the  boy  watching 
him  as  solemn  as  a  sphinx. 

Laying  aside  the  tube,  which  had 
ceased  its  bubbling  and  hissing,  he 
greeted  his  visitor,  asking  his  name 
and  errand. 


18        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"I  am  come  from  the  North  to 
seek  the  assistance  of  the  former 
friend  of  Benjamin  Ibn  Assan, 
whose  son  I  am,"  said  Joseph. 
"This  letter,  which  he  bade  me 
bear  unto  you,  the  illustrious  Rabbi, 
was  written  when  he  knew  that 
death  had  claimed  him.'" 

"Benjamin  Ibn  Assan,"  mused 
the  Rabbi.  "  It  must  be  he  whom  I 
knew  in  Cordova,  where  we  were 
fellow-students.  Tis  many  years 
since  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
France,  and  my  news  of  him  hath 
been  scant.  And  he  is  no  more?" 
he  added.  "If  his  manhood  bore 
out  the  promise  of  his  youth,  then, 
indeed,  Israel  hath  lost  a  noble 
son." 

"  Never  was  truer  word  spoken," 
answered  Joseph,  his  face  suddenly 


A  STEANGEE  FB0M  THE  NOETH  19 

glowing  with  enthusiasm.  "  No 
human  being  appealed  to  him  in 
vain,  for  he  was  ever  ready  to  wel- 
come Jew  or  Gentile  who  stood  in 
need  of  succor.  Yet  it  becomes  me 
little  to  boast  of  that  which  hath 
found  scant  favor  in  the  eyes  of 
other  a' ' 

The  Rabbi  raised  his  eyebrows 
interrogatively,  and  looked  with 
some  amusement  at  the  youth, 
neither  abashed  on  account  of 
his  strangeness  nor  yet  over-bold. 

"  Naught  it  availed  him,  when 
the  Count  de  Fournoire,  casting 
about  for  plunder  wherewith  to 
satisfy  his  free  lances,  fell  upon 
Benjamin  Ibn  Assan  as  one  rich 
in  goods  and  silver.  In  vain  my 
father  endeavored  to  still  his 
enemy's  avarice,''  Joseph  continued 


20        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

bitterly.  "  When  neither  threats 
nor  torture  produced  more  treas- 
ure, they  killed  him  in  a  manner 
which  brooks  not  description.  Thus 
they  showed  how  lightly  they  held 
the  life  of  a  Jew." 

Then,  forgetting  all  but  the  sense 
of  his  misfortune,  he  buried  his 
head  in  his  hands.  His  shoulders 
shook,  but  he  uttered  no  sound. 

The  Rabbi  musing  paced  to  and 
fro.  He  sympathized  with  the  boy, 
although  he  said  nothing,  for  he 
was  considering  less  the  tale — com- 
mon enough  in  those  days — than 
the  probable  character  of  the  youth 
before  him.  He  debated  what  was 
to  be  done  for  him,  since  he  was  so 
plainly  in  need  of  help.  Actuated 
by  such  feelings,  he  addressed  his 
visitor,  who  had  now  become  calmer. 


A  STEANGEE  FEOM  THE  NOETH  21 

"  Had  thy  father  spoken  aught 
to  thee  of  thy  training  ? "  he  asked. 

"I  was  apprenticed  to  a  gold- 
smith, and  had  nigh  served  my 
term  when  I  was  robbed  of  his 
love  and  aid.  Therefore  I  made 
bold  to  appeal  to  you,  hoping  for 
permission  to  enter  the  warehouse 
of  the  great  Maimon." 

The  Rabbi,  impressed  by  the 
boy's  seriousness,  looked  at  him 
with  new  interest. 

"  When  thou  hast  completed  thy 
service,  what  then  ? "  he  asked. 

"I  shall  try  to  bear  my  father's 
name  worthily," — here  the  sense  of 
his  wrongs  fired  him — "and  mete 
out  to  the  Count  de  Fournoire  such 
punishment  as  he  rightly  deserves." 

The  latter  speech  made  Maimon 
smile. 


22       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"Thou  shalt  have  thy  chance," 
said  he,  adding  in  a  more  serious 
tone,  "  Do  but  show  thyself  worthy, 
and  thou  shalt  not  find  me  nig- 
gardly of  advancement." 

"  I  have  not  words  wherewith  to 
thank  you,"  Joseph  answered,  his 
voice  trembling.  "  Never  shall  you 
regret  your  bounty,  if,  by  faithful 
and  zealous  service,  I  may  prove 
my  gratitude." 

"I  believe  thee,"  said  Maimon, 
reseating  himself.  Taking  one  of  the 
quills  upon  the  table,  he  drew  his 
writing  materials  toward  him,  and 
began  to  write  an  order  upon  his 
superintendent  for  the  admission 
of  Joseph  Ibn  Assan  as  apprentice 
into  the  warehouse  of  the  brothers 
Maimon. 

Having  finished  and  sealed  the 


A  STKANGER  FEOM  THE  NOKTH  23 

missive,  the  Rabbi  rose,  and  clapped 
his  hands  twice. 

"Thou  hast  much  to  learn  con- 
cerning the  customs  of  our  city," 
he  said  to  Joseph,  "for  thou  art 
come  from  a  Christian  country,  and 
a  stranger,  be  he  Jew  or  Gentile, 
stands  in  peril  an  he  conforms  not 
to  Mahometan  customs." 

Then  he  turned  to  the  boy  who 
had  entered,  and  was  awaiting  his 
orders. 

"Thou  may  est  tell  Abdah  that 
the  work  is  satisfactory, "  he  said, 
while  the  boy  saluted  in  Eastern 
fashion,  "and,  Raphael,  thou  shalt 
be  this  youth's  guide.  Show  him 
where  he  may  procure  proper  garb 
and  aught  else  that  he  may  stand 
in  need  of." 

"This  order,"    he    continued    to 


24       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Joseph,  "give  to  the  master  to 
whom  Raphael  will  direct  thee. 
And  now  there  remains  but  for  me 
to  hear  a  statement  of  thy  wealth," 
he  added,  smiling  kindly. 

"I  have  still  a  few  pieces,  more 
than  sufficient  for  my  scant  needs," 
replied  Joseph,  coloring,  "but  I 
thank  you  none  the  less  for  your 
interest.7' 

"  Then  haste  thee  to  secure  lodg- 
ing and  clothing,  for  'twould  be  but 
wanton  risk  to  be  seen  abroad 
thus,"  said  Maimonides,  dismissing 
them  with  a  "  God  be  with  you." 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  A  FRIENDSHIP 

As  they  passed  into  the  street, 
Joseph  looked  wonderingly  at  the 
light,  freckled  skin  of  his  com- 
panion and  at  his  grey  eyes,  which 
twinkled  beneath  his  turban;  for 
Raphael's  merry  face  with  its 
northern  cast  of  features  seemed 
incongruous  with  Arab  garb,  which 
Joseph  had  always  associated  with 
Moslem  gravity. 

Raphael,  who  had  no  mind  to 
bear  this  scrutiny  with  quiet,  broke 
the  silence  by  saying  gaily :  "And 
so  thou  art  come  to  grace  our  wor- 
thy brotherhood  of  goldsmiths?" 


26        UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"  Such  is  indeed  my  intention,  but 
methinks  there  is  more  immediate 
need  of  added  grace  here/7  answered 
Joseph,  with  a  smile,  as  he  glanced 
at  his  dusty  clothes. 

"In  truth,  thou  art  right,  and 
since  fate  has  decreed  that  we  are 
to  work  together,  we  may  as  well 
join  hands  in  friendship,"  said 
Raphael  more  seriously. 

"Right  gladly  will  I,"  replied 
Joseph,  clasping  the  proffered  hand. 
a  Thy  name  is  Raphael,  I  know ;  I 
am  Joseph,  son  of  Benjamin  Ibn 
Assan." 

"  And  now,  friend  Joseph,  let  us 
to  this  other  gear,  as  the  Franks 
say,"  responded  Raphael  briskly. 
"  Thou  must  have  lodgings  first  of 
all,  wherein  thou  mayest  remain 
until  I  procure  thee  proper  garb. 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FKIENDSHIP     27 

What  sayest  thou  to  sharing  my 
room?  I  do  not  follow  the  usual 
custom  of  apprentices,  but  have  a 
separate  lodging,  that  I  may  come 
and  go  freely." 

"Twill  suit  me  excellently,  if  the 
fee  be  not  too  great,  for  I  must  live 
somewhat  closely." 

"Nay,  Dame  Rebecca  will  not 
make  a  great  demand,  for  she  is  of 
our  own  people,  moreover,  she  is 
kindly  disposed,"  Raphael  answered, 
as  he  led  the  way  down  a  side  street 
that  they  might  escape  observation. 
"The  dwelling,"  he  continued,  "is 
without  the  gates  of  the  Mellah,  as 
they  call  the  Jewish  quarter.  For  I 
had  no  stomach  to  wear  their  badge 
and  bear  their  spittings  and  revil- 
ings  with  humility,  for,  although 
the  Sultan,  whom  the    Lord    pre- 


28        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

serve,  hath  decreed  freedom  of  wor- 
ship to  the  Jews,  'tis  as  though  he 
had  not  spoken  among  the  ignorant 
zealots,  who  must  hate  a  Jew  be- 
cause their  fathers  did.  Why,  look 
thee,  Joseph,"  said  he,  stopping 
short  in  the  road  and  speaking  im- 
pressively, "if  one  doth  wear  the 
badge  of  Jewry,  he  may  be  set 
upon  and  robbed  without  being  able 
to  seek  redress.  A  Jew  may  be 
murdered  even,  and  no  one  suffer 
for  it.  Therefore,  many  of  us  dwell 
without  the  Mellah,  and  pass  for 
Moslems,  thereby  also  escaping  the 
tax,  which  hath  been  increased  of 
late." 

Then,  as  they  walked  on,  he 
asked,  "  Tell  me,  is  it  otherwise  in 
the  North?" 

"Nay,  it  is    said   that    there   is 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FRIENDSHIP    29 

more  freedom  and  safety  here. 
But  how  didst  thou  guess  that  I 
come  from  the  North  ? " 

"Thy  Arabic  comes  somewhat 
slowly,  as  though  thou  wert  not 
over-accustomed  to  it — but  here  we 
are,"  he  added.  They  stopped  be- 
fore the  door  of  a  house  which  had 
the  white-washed  walls  of  many  of 
the  city  buildings. 

Raphael  bestowed  a  vigorous 
knock  upon  the  panels  before  him, 
and  the  door  was  opened.  Within 
the  entrance  they  came  upon  a  ra- 
ther stout  woman,  who  smiled  good- 
naturedly  when  she  saw  Raphael. 

"I  might  have  known  that  no 
other  than  thou  would  come  thun- 
dering thus  at  the  door,  thou  mad- 
cap ! "  she  exclaimed. 

"Nay,  good  dame,  'twas  but  in 


30       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

anxiety  that  thou  shouldst  see  my 
friend,  Joseph  Ibn  Assan,"  he  said, 
blandly  waving  his  hand  toward 
Joseph,  "who,  being  a  stranger 
within  our  gates,  doth  ask  for  hos- 
pitality. That  is  to  say,"  continued 
he  in  sober  tones,  "we  have  come 
to  see  if  thou  canst  receive  another 
of  our  people  who  hath  not  much 
to  offer  thee  in  return.  He  may 
share  my  room,  and  will  require 
but  little  else." 

"  Right  gladly  I  will  receive  him," 
the  dame  answered.  "Thoumayest 
take  him  with  thee  now,  Raphael-" 

"  I  thank  thee,  good  dame,"  said 
Joseph,  speaking  for  the  first  time. 
"  But  what  arrangements  shall  we 
make  as  to  requital? " 

"That  we  shall  discuss  at  some 
other  season,"  answered  Rebecca, 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FEIENDSHIP    31 

laughing,  as  she  beat  a  hasty  re- 
treat. 

Raphael  led  the  way  to  the  room, 
which  was  of  tolerable  size,  with 
two  windows  overlooking  the  court- 
yard. It  was  sparely  furnished,  the 
most  noticeable  feature  being  a 
couch,  or  divan,  upon  which  Joseph 
threw  himself  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 
Drawing  a  purse  from  his  girdle, 
he  handed  a  few  pieces  of  money  to 
Raphael,  who  went  to  purchase  the 
necessary  garments. 

Joseph  fell  into  a  nap,  and  sud- 
denly awoke  to  find  Raphael  sitting 
gravely  upon  the  floor,  surrounded 
by  his  purchases,  which  he  had 
secured  in  the  Mellah. 

"  Will  the  gracious  S'id  be  pleased 
to  array  himself?"  he  asked  with 
mock  humility    as  Joseph    arose. 


32        UKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Then,  spreading  out  the  garments, 
he  proceeded  to  give  him  instruc- 
tions in  their  uses  and  advantages, 
not  forgetting  to  criticise  Joseph's 
personal  appearance,  of  which  he 
rather  approved.  Although  the 
two  boys  were  of  nearly  the  same 
age,  Joseph  was  much  the  taller. 
Being  broad  of  shoulder,  he  looked 
more  than  his  sixteen  years,  which 
was  in  his  favor  in  the  East,  where 
a  boy  is  expected  at  eighteen  to 
have  the  dignity  of  a  man.  Nor 
did  their  dissimilarity  in  appear- 
ance end  here,  for  Joseph  was  dark 
in  complexion,  with  a  clearly  cut 
and  rather  aquiline  nose,  firmly 
set  jaw  and  chin,  and  dark,  serious 
eyes.  Comparison  of  the  two  lads 
made  Raphael's  mischievous  face 
seem  all  the  more  boyish. 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FEIENDSHIP     33 

Having  donned  his  new  clothing, 
the  full  trousers  closing  at  the 
ankles  and  the  sash  about  the  waist 
amusing  him  not  a  little,  Joseph 
stood  before  his  companion,  who 
surveyed  him  critically,  with  head 
cocked  and  one  eye  closed. 

"Thou  lookest  the  veriest  Mos- 
lem," he  said.  "With  a  turban, 
thou  mightst  be  son  to  Mahomet 
himself.'7 

"  Perchance  I  may  be  questioned," 
said  Joseph  anxiously,  "  and  I  know 
not  Moslem  ceremonies." 

"Thou  hast  but  to  say,  'There  is 
but  one  God ' — which  is  true — '  and 
Mahomet  is  his  Prophet' — which 
thou  needst  not  believe,"  he  added 
in  parenthesis,  "  and  thou  art  safe." 

"'Tis  curious  how  oft  we  Jews 
must   change,"    remarked  Joseph. 


34        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"In  the  North  we  must  wear  the 
yellow  cap  and  badge  of  Jewry  that 
each  man-at-arms  may  know  that 
we  are  safe  plunder ;  here  we  es- 
cape the  same  degradation  by  wear- 
ing the  garb  and  performing  the 
ceremonies  of  the  Moslem." 

"Tis  not  a  change,"  answered 
Raphael  thinking.  "  We  are  indeed 
as  the  leopard  who  changes  not  his 
spots ;  we  do  but  don  another  coat 
for  convenience.  What  glory  were 
gained  in  fighting  Mahomet,  who 
hath  no  more  divinity  than  our 
Maimon?" 

"It  were  wiser  to  outwit  him," 
said  Joseph  slowly.  "These  perse- 
cutions do  but  hold  us  faster  to  our 
faith.  Who  knows,"  he  continued 
with  shining  eyes,  "but  that  the 
future    may    see    Israel  again  re- 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FRIENDSHIP     35 

spected  and  ranked  among  the 
nations  ? " 

"A  truce  to  thy  meditations," 
interrupted  Raphael.  "  There  is 
that  within  me  which  calls  still 
more  loudly  than  our  wrongs,  for 
'tis  long  past  the  evening  meal. 
Let  us  take  our  supper  to  the  roof 
and  see  the  sun  set.'7 

Taking  a  mat  of  twisted  grass, 
some  figs,  a  loaf  of  bread,  and  a  jar 
of  milk,  all  of  which  he  had  bought 
in  the  Mellah,  he  prepared  to  ascend 
to  the  roof,  Joseph  following.  There 
Joseph  saw  what  was  new  to  him, 
though  common  enough  in  Eastern 
houses.  A  sort  of  garden  had  been 
formed  by  planting  vines  and  small 
shrubs  in  boxes  around  the  edge  of 
the  roof.  Mingled  with  these  were 
bright    flowers    and    at   intervals 


36        UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

small  palms  in  pots.  The  centre 
was  covered  with  a  rug,  upon  which 
were  seats  made  of  cushions,  and 
overhead  was  a  sort  of  awning  to 
serve  as  a  shield  from  the  sun's 
rays.  Here  they  sat,  eating  their 
frugal  meal  and  breathing  the  per- 
fume of  the  flowers,  while  they 
watched  the  brilliant  and  con- 
stantly changing  colors  of  the  sink- 
ing sun. 

"1  would  thou  toldest  me  what 
magic  thou  didst  use  with  the 
Rabbi,"  said  Raphael  suddenly, 
14  for  never  have  I  seen  him  unbend 
so  much  as  unto  thee." 

"I  have  always  heard  his  great 
goodness  praised,"  answered  Joseph, 
"but,  truth  to  tell,  his  seeming 
sternness  did  damp  my  courage  at 
first.     E'en    now    I    hardly    know 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FEIENDSHIP     37 

whether  he  helped  me  from  kind- 
ness of  heart,  or  because  I  was  an 
unfortunate  Jew." 

"Stern  he  is,"  said  Raphael,  "but 
withal  the  kindest  man  in  Fostat 
and  mayhap,  next  to  the  Sultan, 
the  greatest.  Indeed  he  is  one  of 
the  most  powerful  and  envied  at 
court.  Such  a  man  is  not  like  to 
wear  his  kindness  as  we  do,  there 
being  too  many  ready  to  profit  by 
it  an  it  were  too  easily  reached." 

Joseph  thought  of  the  boldness 
he  had  shown  in  supplicating  one 
so  high  in  station.  "Truly,"  he 
thought,  "  ignorance  will  dare 
when  wisdom  hesitates.  Had  I 
known  that  Maimon  was  so  far 
removed,  methinks  I  should  have 
considered  twice  ere  I  ventured 
into  his  presence.     Nevertheless  I 


38       TJNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

have  learned  that  a  Jew,  e'en 
though  he  be  great  among  Gentiles, 
feels  for  his  own." 

The  morning  following  the  Sab- 
bath Joseph  was  awakened  by 
Raphael,  who  asked  his  friend  to 
accompany  him  to  the  bath,  which 
Joseph  was  glad  to  do,  feeling  the 
need  of  more  vigorous  ablutions 
than  he  had  yet  obtained  in  Fostat. 
In  cleanliness,  as  in  many  other 
points  of  civilization,  the  East  rose 
superior  to  Europe.  There  was 
very  little  life  in  the  narrow, 
crooked  streets,  for  the  shops  which 
lined  both  sides  of  the  thorough- 
fares were  not  yet  open.  Here  and 
there  they  met  a  sleepy-looking 
porter  just  opening  the  wooden 
street  gates  which  he  had  closed 
the  night  before.    They  turned  into 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FEIENDSHIP     39 

a  by-way,  hardly  more  than  a  lane, 
with  balconies  and  casements  on 
opposite  sides,  which  seemed  ludi- 
crously out  of  place  in  such  narrow 
quarters.  They  passed  on  into  a 
broader  street,  and  approached  the 
baths.  To  Joseph  the  building 
seemed  extremely  beautiful  for  this 
part  of  the  city.  The  exterior  was 
ornamented  in  red  and  white, 
making  it  resemble  the  front  of  a 
mosque  upon  which  the  best  archi- 
tectural skill  had  been  spent. 

At  the  door  of  the  bath,  they  were 
met  by  a  servant,  who,  taking  their 
shoes,  provided  them  with  wooden 
clogs,  for  the  pavement  was  wet. 
Then  they  entered  a  large  apart- 
ment with  floors  and  walls  of 
white  marble.  Overhead  there  was 
a   kind    of    glazed   dome  through 


40        UKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

which  the  sun's  light  penetrated, 
and  in  the  centre  was  a  fountain 
with  a  marble  basin,  around  the 
edge  of  which  were  seats.  Here  the 
boys  prepared  for  the  bath,  and 
then  went  into  the  next  room,  the 
inner  apartment,  which  was  heated 
by  hot  water  rising  in  great  steam- 
ing jets  from  a  fountain.  There 
were  several  divans,  and  upon  these 
as  well  as  upon  the  seats  around 
the  fountain  were  bathers,  perspir- 
ing profusely.  They  were  attended 
by  servants,  who  were  kneading 
and  wringing  their  bodies  until 
each  joint  cracked.  Joseph  viewed 
this  operation  with  rather  comic 
alarm. 

"I  am  not  minded  to  have  my 
poor  limbs  so  wrenched  and  twisted 
that  they  will  seem  to  have  been 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FRIENDSHIP     41 

upon  the  rack  of  the  northern  Gen- 
tiles," said  he  whimsically. 

Raphael,  laughing,  said,  "Then 
thou  shalt  not  undergo  the  dreadful 
ordeal,  though  'tis  good  after  one 
has  grown  accustomed  to  it.  Come 
thou  with  me." 

They  passed  into  another  cham- 
ber, where  the  attendant  lathered 
their  bodies  with  soap,  using  as 
a  sponge  the  fibre  of  the  palm- 
tree,  or  leef.  After  a  dip  in  a  tank 
of  warm  water  and  brisk  rubbing 
with  napkins,  the  boys  were  ready 
to  return  home  for  a  breakfast  as 
plain  as  the  supper  of  the  night 
before. 

Their  meal  finished,  they  turned 
their  steps  toward  the  part  of  the 
city  which  was  to  be  the  scene  of 
Joseph's  new  service.    After  walk- 


42        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

ing  a  short  distance,  they  came  to 
a  plain,  white- washed  building,  the 
door  of  which  stood  open.  Joseph, 
following  Raphael,  entered  a  long, 
narrow  room,  with  a  number  of 
windows  at  each  side.  Against 
these  were  work-benches,  about  ten 
in  number,  which  were  not  in  use, 
but  Joseph  noticed  that  at  each  table 
there  was  a  boy  evidently  prepar- 
ing for  the  day's  labor. 

Raphael  took  his  friend  to  the 
bench  at  which  he  worked,  saying : 

"  Since  my  preceptor,  who  is  the 
overseer,  is  not  yet  come,  thou 
mayest  wait  here.  I  must  arrange 
what  tools  and  materials  are  neces- 
sary for  the  work.  'Tis  the  cus- 
tom here  for  each  apprentice  to 
make  ready  his  preceptor's  bench." 

After    waiting    a  while,   Joseph 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FKIENDSHIP     43 

saw  a  man  enter,  who,  he  fancied, 
was  the  superintendent.  A  nod 
from  Raphael  proving  that  his  sur- 
mise was  correct,  he  advanced 
toward  the  new-comer,  whose  grim- 
looking  features  became  no  pleas- 
anter  as  he  said  curtly,  "With 
whom  hast  thou  traffic  thus 
early  ?" 

11 1  have  a  communication  for  the 
S'id  Abdah,"  answered  Joseph,  hold- 
ing out  Maimon's  missive  and  won- 
dering what  kind  of  life  an  ap- 
prentice would  lead  under  such  a 
chief. 

Abdah— this  was  the  overseer's 
name— read  the  note,  and,  pointing 
to  an  unoccupied  bench,  told  Joseph 
to  seat  himself.  He  gave  him  a 
design  drawn  on  paper,  and  asked 
him  if  he  could  engrave  it  upon  the 


44       UKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

base  of  the  silver  vase  which  stood 
upon  the  table.  He  stood  by  in  si- 
lence, watching  the  work,  but  never 
changing  his  expression.  Joseph 
looked  up  occasionally,  hoping  for 
some  sign  of  approval.  Seeing 
none,  he  began  to  fear  that  his  work 
was  not  satisfactory. 

Finally  the  superintendent  asked 
in  his  harsh  voice  : 

"What  did  thy  former  mentor 
say  of  thy  task  ? " 

"  He  greatly  praised  my  advance- 
ment," answered  Joseph  a  little 
timidly,  "and  promised  that  in  a 
short  time  I  might  become  a  mas- 
ter-workman." 

Abdah  nodded  his  head  slowly. 

"Thou  hast  indeed  but  little  need 
of  longer  apprenticeship,"  he  said. 
"  When  thou  hast  finished  that  vase, 


BEGINNING  OF  A  FEIENDSHIP     45 

thou  mayest  engrave  this  piece, 
that  I  may  see  if  thou  hast  aught 
of  originality. "  So  saying,  he  gave 
Joseph  a  silver  goblet,  and,  seating 
himself  at  a  bench  near  by,  began 
to  work  at  a  delicate  gold  orna- 
ment, while  Joseph  stared  at  the 
silver  piece  in  astonishment,  for 
Abdah's  manner  had  led  him  to 
expect  anything  but  approbation. 

At  sundown  the  day's  work  was 
ended,  and  the  boys  bent  their  steps 
homeward,  Raphael  elated  by  his 
friend's  success,  Joseph  quiet  and 
happy  in  the  thought  that  he  had 
won  Abdah's  approval. 

They  walked  along,  speaking 
little  until  they  heard  the  voice  of 
the  muezzins  announcing  the  time 
for  prayer.  As  all  others  in  the 
streets   cast   themselves  upon  the 


46       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

ground,  prayer  carpets  under  knees 
and  faces  towards  Mecca,  Joseph 
and  Eaphael  were  obliged  to  do 
likewise,  pretending  to  repeat  the 
prayers  which  the  Moslem  recites 
at  sundown. 

Upon  reaching  home  they  found 
Dame  Rebecca  and  supper  awaiting 
them.  The  rest  of  the  evening  they 
spent  upon  the  roof  playing  chess, 
which  was  then  an  ordinary  form 
of  amusement. 

So  passed  Joseph's  first  day  in 
the  service  of  Maimonides,  and 
many  like  it  followed. 


CHAPTER  III 

STOLEN  WATERS 

As  Joseph  was  one  of  the  older 
boys,  and  had  practically  finished 
his  apprenticeship,  Abdah  watched 
him  closely,  observing  the  earnest- 
ness and  fidelity  with  which  he 
worked.  After  a  month  or  more 
Joseph  began  to  notice  the  confi- 
dence which  the  overseer  seemed  to 
place  in  him,  and  he  was  further 
encouraged  by  being  occasionally 
sent  with  messages  to  Moses  Mai- 
mon.  The  Rabbi,  in  order  to  pursue 
his  studies,  left  the  greater  part  of 
the  business  responsibility  to  his 
brother   David  and    his    represen- 


48       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

tative  Abdah.  Besides  holding  the 
position  of  court-physician,  Mai- 
mon,  or  Maimonides,  as  he  is  also 
called,  was  at  the  head  of  the  con- 
gregations of  Egypt,  and  his  name 
stands  out  as  that  of  the  most  intel- 
lectual Eabbi  and  deeply  religious 
philosopher  of  medieval  times.  Fol- 
lowing the  example  of  other  Rabbis, 
he  considered  it  nobler  to  study  the 
Law  for  the  love  of  it  and  to  depend 
upon  other  pursuits  for  support. 

David  Maimon,  however,  made 
expeditions  to  the  Indies,  at  that 
time  the  centre  of  the  world's 
wealth,  and  during  his  brother's 
absence  it  was  necessary  to  consult 
the  Eabbi  more  than  usually.  Often 
he  was  too  much  occupied  to  visit 
the  workshop,  and  at  such  times 
Joseph  was  sent  to  him.    However, 


STOLEN  WATERS  49 

he  saw  him  but  rarely ;  he  generally 
delivered  his  message  to  a  servant, 
and  awaited  the  answer  in  the  court. 
One  day  he  was  detained  longer 
than  usually,  the  Rabbi  being  occu- 
pied, and  our  youth  was  fain  to 
employ  himself  with  a  manuscript 
book  which  he  had  found  on  the 
seat.  As  he  sat  there,  a  young  girl 
entered  the  court.  She  was  dark- 
haired  and  dark-eyed,  and  her  loose 
white  silk  vest  with  its  silver  clasps 
made  a  striking  setting  for  her 
beauty,  the  vivacity  of  which  did 
not  permit  it  to  be  classed  as  Ori- 
ental. "Without  looking  about,  she 
seated  herself,  and  began  to  play 
upon  the  lute  she  carried.  Joseph, 
believing  that  she  had  not  seen  him, 
returned  to  his  reading,  and  he  was 
so    absorbed    that    some    minutes 


50        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

passed  before  he  became  conscious 
of  the  fact  that  his  companion  had 
ceased  to  play.  Glancing  up,  he 
met  her  look  of  curiosity,  which 
changed  to  amusement  when  she 
saw  his  embarrassment ;  for  it  was 
considered  a  breach  of  etiquette  for 
a  stranger  to  see  the  women  of  a 
noble  family. 

"  I  had  not  meant  to  intrude  upon 
your  privacy,"  he  began,  blushing 
furiously,  "  and  do  ask  your  pardon 
if  my  remaining  here  hath  been 
unseemly." 

"Thou  hast  no  need  to  look  as 
one  discovered  in  guilt,"  she  an- 
swered, smiling,  "  for  truth  to  tell, 
'tis  I  who  am  unseemly,  since  I  did 
know  of  thy  presence.  Art  thou 
not  Joseph  Ibn  Assan  ? " 

"  Such  is  indeed  my  name,  though 


STOLEN  WATEES  51 


how  thou  didst  guess  it  passeth  my 
understanding,"  he  answered,  won- 
dering who  she  was,  and  why  she 
was  so  friendly. 

11 1  am  Esther,  daughter  of  David 
Maimon,"  said  she  brightly,  "and 
as  for  knowing  thee,  when  I  saw 
thee  reading  and  looking  as  grave 
as  the  most  solemn  of  Israel's 
judges,  methought  that  yonder 
sprig  could  be  no  other  than  he  of 
whom  my  uncle  did  tell  my  father." 

"  I  give  thee  thanks  for  thy  cour- 
tesy. One  of  thy  father's  artificers 
should  be  happy,  indeed,  if  he  hath 
given  amusement  even  unwitting- 
ly," he  answered,  not  made  too 
comfortable  by  her  raillery. 

"  Oh,  'twas  vastly  amusing,"  said 
she,  mischief  gleaming  in  her  dark 
eyes,  "  to  see  thee  poring  over  yonder 


52       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

volume,  as  if  naught  else  in  life  had 
savor  for  thee." 

"  Tell  me,"  she  added,  her  impulse 
changing,  "  dost  thou  indeed  care  to 
read  such  ? "  pointing  to  the  book. 

"'Tis  truly  a  pleasure  I  prize 
above  all  others,"  he  answered  earn- 
estly, "though  but  rarely  I  have 
the  opportunity  to  gratify  my  taste 
for  it,  for  such  a  book  costs  as 
much  as  I  may  earn  in  a  year." 

u  My  uncle  hath  many  which,  me- 
thinks,  he  would  lend  thee,  if  thou 
didst  but  ask." 

"  Seyid  Moses  hath  already  been 
my  benefactor,  and  far  be  it  from 
me  to  presume  upon  his  kindness 
with  such  a  request." 

"  But  some  he  hath  which  he  doth 
read  no  more,"  said  she  hesitat- 
ingly. 


STOLEN  WATERS  53 

"  If  thou  but  wilt ! "  he  exclaimed, 
instantly  guessing  her  meaning. 

"  It  is  simple  enough.  Thou  canst 
take  that  one,  for  it  was  lent  to  me, 
and  when  thou  returnest  it,  place  it 
behind  this  palm.  It  is  my  plant, 
and  the  jar  is  never  moved.  Thou 
mayest  always  take  with  thee  the 
one  I  shall  place  there.'" 

Joseph  was  so  astonished  at  his 
good  fortune  that  he  nearly  forgot 
to  thank  Esther,  who,  in  fact,  hardly 
waited,  for  she  suddenly  remem- 
bered her  mother's  injunction  con- 
cerning the  propriety  of  speaking  to 
strangers.  With  visions  of  confine- 
ment to  her  room,  accompanied  by 
a  diet  of  bread  and  water,  she  seized 
her  lute,  and  fled  into  the  house. 

"I  had  thought  it  a  dream," 
mused  Joseph,  "but  that  she  had 


54        UJSTDEB  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

too  much  of  gaiety  and  kindliness 
to  be  aught  but  living.  To  gain  her 
friendship  were  worth  a  great  risk, 
even  incurring  the  Rabbi's  anger 
— if  perchance  we  do  meet  again, , 
for  truly  she  left  me  with  over- 
suddenness." 

He  was  still  marvelling  at  her 
sudden  departure  when  the  servant 
delivered  the  answer,  and  he  re- 
turned to  his  work,  happier  than  he 
had  been  in  many  a  day. 

Raphael  stared  open-mouthed 
when  Joseph  told  him  of  his  luck, 
and  when  he  heard  of  the  arrange- 
ment between  Esther  and  his  friend 
for  the  future  supply  and  return  of 
books,  his  astonishment  knew  no 
bounds. 

"  Thou  art  a  bold  one,"  he  exclaim- 
ed.    " Esther    Maimon,    in    sooth! 


STOLEN  WATERS  55 

'Tis  a  wonder  that  your  worship 
hath  not  requested  a  favor  of  the 
Sultan." 

11  Thou  needst  not  make  so  much 
of  it,"  answered  Joseph,  nettled  at 
Raphael's  irony.  "And  as  for  the 
Sultan,  should  circumstances  war- 
rant it,  methinks  I  should  not  be 
backward  in  asking." 

It  was  at  the  end  of  the  day,  and 
they  were  seated  upon  the  roof. 
Raphael  arose,  walked  a  little  dis- 
tance, then  turned,  and  performed 
an  elaborate  obeisance, 

"  Room  for  the  Seyid  Assan,"  he 
commanded,  waving  his  arms  to- 
ward imaginary  crowds. 

11  Have  done  with  thy  mocking," 
responded  Joseph,  laughing.  "  Thou 
knowest  thou  art  as  glad  as  I  am." 

"Tell  me,"  said  Raphael  suddenly, 


56        UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"was  there  much  astir  at  the 
Rabbi's  house  ?  All  Fostat  is  agog 
with  excitement,  for  'tis  said  that 
the  great  Abdel-latif  hath  journeyed 
from  Bagdad  expressly  to  visit  Mai- 
mon,  so  far-famed  hath  our  Eagle  be- 
come. Methinks  that  no  Jew  hath 
been  so  honored  since  we  have  be- 
come wanderers." 

"  I  saw  naught  of  it,"  said  Joseph, 
listening  to  this  new  evidence  of 
Maimon's  greatness  with  interest. 

"Thou  wert  too  much  absorbed 
by  thy  new  acquaintance  to  have 
eyes  or  ears  for  much  else,"  retorted 
Raphael,  but  his  friend  was  not 
listening. 

"Bethink  thee,  Raphael,"  said 
Joseph,  coming  out  of  a  brown 
study,  "how  many  books  we  may 
be  able  to  read.  The  Rabbi  Maimon 


STOLEN  WATEES  57 

hath  even  all  written  by  the  great 
Kabbis  of  Bagdad  and  the  Moorish 
philosophers  of  Cordova.  Rare  in- 
terest we  shall  find  in  the  thoughts 
of  the  world's  sages." 
<  "Thou  art  learning-mad,  me- 
thinks,"  said  Raphael,  looking  won- 
deringly  at  his  friend.  "As  for  me, 
it  is  not  to  my  liking.  Why  should 
I  ponder  over  musty  volumes,  when 
so  many  learned  men  do  naught 
else,  and  do  it  to  much  better  pur- 
pose than  I  could?  Surely,  it  is 
sufficient  to  obey  the  Law  and  leave 
study  to  wise  men." 

"If  thou  dost  really  believe  so, 
thou  art  no  genuine  son  of  Israel ; 
for  doth  not  our  strength  depend 
upon  the  true  interpretation  of 
God's  Law  ?  My  father  was  wont 
to  say,  that  '  he  who  increaseth  his 


58       UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

knowledge  of  the  Law,  and  aug- 
menteth  his  study,  doth  increase 
in  life  and  in  wisdom.'  Therefore 
thou  wilt  read  with  me,"  pleaded 
Joseph,  throwing  his  arm  around 
Raphael's  neck. 

"  If  thou  wilt,  thou  wilt,  and  me- 
thinks  I  had  better  not  oppose  thee, 
for  thou  wilt  but  din  thy  reading 
into  mine  ears  morning,  noon,  and 
night,"  answered  Raphael,  glad  to 
share  his  friend's  studies,  yet  not 
willing  to  relinquish  the  chance  of 
teasing  upon  so  fruitful  a  subject. 

Joseph  continued  to  receive  the 
books,  and  was  often  met  by  Esther, 
who  always  was  greatly  interested 
in  all  he  had  to  tell  of  his  work  and 
reading.  Thus  their  chance  ac- 
quaintance ripened  into  warm 
friendship,  of  a  kind  as  unusual  in 


STOLEN  WATEES  59 

the  East  then  as  now,  for  Oriental 
customs  have  never  permitted  girls 
to  possess  such  freedom  as  Esther 
enjoyed,  and,  indeed,  had  she  not 
been  an  only  and  much  petted 
daughter,  Joseph  would  never  have 
delighted  in  the  friendship  which  he 
valued  so  highly,  and  which  became 
a  necessity  to  him.  Raphael  bore 
himself  as  a  kind  of  younger  broth- 
er, whose  business  it  was  to  admire 
and  tease  his  senior.  To  Esther 
Joseph  could  turn  for  such  sympa- 
thy and  encouragement  as  brothers 
usually  expect  from  sisters.  Truth 
to  tell,  they  had  known  each  other 
scarce  three  months  ere  Esther  had 
heard  of  his  past  life  and  future 
hopes. 

u,Tis  splendid  to  be  a  man  and 
do  as  one  wills,"  she  said,  sighing, 


60        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"  though  my  uncle  says  that  to  be  a 
true  housewife  is  as  good  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord  as  to  be  a  great  mer- 
chant or  scholar.  Knowest  thou," 
she  continued,  "that  in  a  week  I 
shall  be  fourteen  ?  I  shall  don  the 
garb  of  a  woman,  and  my  uncle 
hath  promised  that  I  shall  read  such 
of  his  books  as  beseem  a  Jewish 
woman.  But  with  gossip  I  had  nigh 
forgot  what  I  meant  to  tell  thee,  for 
'tis  great  news.  Thou  hast  heard 
of  the  poet  Alsaid  ? " 

Joseph  nodded  his  head  as  she 
continued,  "  He  hath  writ  a  poem, 
which  was  recited  last  week  at 
court.     It  doth  run : 

'All  bod'ly  ills  great  Galen's  craft  can  cure, 
But  Maimon  heals  man's  body  and  his  soul ; 
Nor  can,  before  his  skill,  which  all  extol, 
The  malady  of  ignorance  endure. 


STOLEN  WATEES  61 

And  if  the  moon  would  call  upon  his  art, 
Her  spots,  when  full  her  orb,  would  disappear, 
And  he  could  always  round  her  waning  sphere, 
When  in  conjunction  she  doth  lose  a  part.1 " 

"It  created  some  excitement,  I 
promise  thee,"  exclaimed  Joseph 
with  animation. 

"Some  were  like  to  turn  green 
with  envy,"  answered  she,  "but 
for  that  Maimon  cares  not  a  whit. 
His  preferment  at  court  he  values, 
believing  that  thus  he  will  be  able 
to  befriend  the  Jews,  toward  whom 
'tis  said  the  Sultan  is  well  dis- 
posed. 'Tis  scarce  a  fortnight  since 
the  wise  Abdel-latif  did  say,  that 
from  Spain  to  India  and  from  the 
sources  of  the  Euphrates  and  the 
Tigris  to  the  banks  of  the  Nile  there 
was  none  to  compare  with  Maimon. 
But  all  this  thou  must  know,  for 


62       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

here  in  Fostat  they  call  him  'the 
Enlightener  of  the  eyes  of  Israel.' 
Yet,  with  all  the  honor  heaped  upon 
him,  he  is  still  the  kindest  and  best 
of  uncles.  But  'tis  near  the  time  for 
the  assembling  of  the  patients,  and  I 
must  not  linger  with  thee,"  she 
added,  smiling  as  she  left  him. 

The  next  week  Esther  met  him 
clad  in  her  new  clothes  and  walking 
demurely.  Joseph  could  guess  at 
the  mischievous  smile  and  dancing 
eyes  lurking  behind  the  veil,  which 
she  had  thrown  over  her  face  in- 
stead of  letting  it  conceal  the  part 
of  her  countenance  below  the  eyes, 
as  was  usually  done.  Then,  throw- 
ing back  her  veil,  she  stood  like  a 
child  waiting  for  admiration  of  her 
pretty  garments.  Her  loose  gown 
of  soft  silk  was    gathered  at  the 


STOLEN  WATEES  63 

throat,  and  fastened  by  gold  clasps 
set  with  pearls.  The  sleeves  were 
loose  and  open  at  the  wrists,  show- 
ing the  gold  bracelets  between  the 
hand  and  the  elbow.  Over  her  gown 
she  wore  a  short  vest  of  heavy 
material  embroidered  with  pearls. 
Her  silk  veil  was  attached  to  the 
gold  band  which  bound  her  dark 
hair,  and  was  meant  to  be  dropped 
over  her  face  at  the  approach  of  a 
stranger.  There  was  nothing  odd 
in  this  to  Joseph,  for  it  was  the 
garb  and  custom  of  Jews  as  well  as 
of  other  Oriental  nations. 

"  Hereafter  thou  must  not  expect 
to  see  me  here,"  she  said,  "  for  what 
the  maid  did,  were  not  seemly  in  a 
woman." 

"  Those  strange  new  gewgaws  of 
thine    have    worked    a    wonderful 


64       UKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

change,"  responded  Joseph  wrath- 
fully,  "if  thou  art  so  ready  to 
forget  me.  I  shall  have  to  get  me 
a  silken  rag  to  wear  before  mine 
eyes,  if  'twill  make  me  forget  thee." 

"If  thou  art  not  enough  to  try 
the  patience  of  a  Patriarch!"  she 
exclaimed.  "Canst  thou  not  com- 
prehend that  I  must  now  sit  with 
the  women  of  the  household,  and  do 
as  they  do  ? " 

Then  she  suddenly  remembered 
what  he  had  said,  and  she  began  to 
wonder  how  he,  with  his  sprouting 
mustache,  would  look  in  a  veil. 

"Right  proper  and  maidenly 
wouldst  thou  seem  in  a  veil ! "  she 
exclaimed  with  a  peal  of  laughter, 
in  which  Joseph  joined.  "  But  thou 
needst  not  fear,"  she  added  after  a 
little.      "Continue     as    thou    hast 


STOLEN  WATERS  65 

begun,  and  thou  shalt  not  regret  it. 
More  I  may  not  tell  thee  now,  but 
this  thou  mayest  as  well  know: 
to-morrow  thou  art  to  be  bidden  to 
join  us  upon  the  first  night  of  Pass- 
over to  take  the  place  of  my  brother, 
who  is  absent  with  my  father  on  a 
journey  to  the  Indies." 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  SEDER 

And  so  it  happened.  The  next  day, 
to  the  great  astonishment  and  ex- 
citement of  the  other  boys,  who 
regarded  Joseph  as  their  leader, 
and  could  not  imagine  the  Rabbi's 
purpose,  our  youth  was  summoned 
from  his  work  to  receive  the  invita- 
tion of  which  Esther  had  spoken. 
As  for  Raphael,  who  was  in  the 
secret,  no  words  could  picture  his 
state.  He  was  continually  discov- 
ering new  reasons  for  Joseph's  in- 
vitation, and  it  would  be  difficult  to 
say  how  many  possibilities  he  had 
pictured  as  the  consequence  of  his 


THE  SEDEE  67 


friend's  visit,  or  how  many  air- 
castles  he  had  built. 

"I  knew,"  said  he,  "that  the 
Rabbi  would  not  be  long  in  detect- 
ing that  thou  art  no  common  ap- 
prentice. This  must  surely  mean 
thy  promotion.  Thou  wilt  now 
have  a  chance  to  become  a  famous 
goldsmith,  and  then  thou  wilt 
amass  great  wealth.  I  can  almost 
see  thee  in  a  magnificent  house,  a 
man  of  position,  with  that  grave  air 
thou  hast  even  now.  Perchance  we 
shall  not  be  friends  then,"  he  added 
wistfully. 

"Methinks  that  thou  art  just  a 
little  before  season  with  thy  lugu- 
brious farewells,"  responded  Joseph, 
laughing.  "  Thou  art  like  the  youth 
in  the  tale,  who  could  see  a  palace 
and  great  station  rising  from  the 


68       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

sale  of  a  basket  of  common  pottery, 
and,  behold,  so  engrossed  was  he  in 
his  idle  dream  that  he  kicked  his 
basket  over,  and  shattered  its  con- 
tents, ere  he  had  an  opportunity  to 
sell  the  first  piece.  So,  now,  awake 
thee,  dreamer,  and  look  upon  the 
reality  of  day-time.  To  me  'tis 
more  than  probable  that  Maimon 
regards  me  in  the  light  of  the  poor 
stranger  whom  Jews  are  bidden  to 
receive  upon  holy  days — but,  look 
thou,  should  I  not  purchase  some 
garments  more  fit  than  any  I 
have?" 

Eaphael,  shaking  his  head  and 
unconvinced,  accompanied  Joseph 
to  one  of  the  street  bazaars,  or 
shops,  which  resembled  nothing  so 
much  as  an  open  shop  window  with 
its  display  of  goods.    The  merchant 


THE  SEDEK  69 


sat,  cross-legged,  upon  a  cushion, 
while  the  boys  made  their  selection 
of  a  white  linen  suit  with  a  bright 
silk  sash.  This  over,  they  marched 
home  with  the  clothes  to  repeat  the 
tale  to  Dame  Rebecca,  who  was 
almost  as  sanguine  over  it  as 
Raphael.  And  next  evening,  when 
Joseph  was  arrayed  in  his  new 
finery,  what  joy  there  was!  For 
Raphael  had  no  trace  of  jealousy  in 
his  disposition,  and  Dame  Rebecca 
cared  as  much  for  the  homeless  boy 
as  though  he  had  been  her  own  son. 

Not  without  trepidation  Joseph 
repaired  to  the  Rabbi's.  It  was  the 
first  time  he  was  to  go  as  a  guest, 
and  it  was  no  small  matter  to  be 
invited  to  so  great  a  house. 

He  was  met  in  the  reception  room 
by  the  Rabbi,  who  conducted  him 


70       UKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

to  another  and  richer  apartment, 
where  he  was  received  by  the  rest 
of  the  family,  including  the  wife 
and  daughter  of  David  Maimon. 
He  was  welcomed  by  each  member 
so  cordially  that  he  felt  instantly 
at  ease,  and  conversed  readily  with 
the  Rabbi's  wife,  who  was  beauti- 
fully dressed,  and  wore  much 
precious  jewelry.  She  was  inter- 
ested in  Joseph,  and  to  him  she 
seemed  just  the  kind  of  big-hearted, 
motherly  weman  to  whom  it  was  a 
pleasure  for  a  boy  to  talk. 

During  his  conversation  with  her 
aunt,  Esther  watched  him.  A  mis- 
chievous smile  played  about  the 
corners  of  her  mouth,  when  it 
occurred  to  her  that  she  must  re- 
ceive him  as  a  stranger,  though  she 
had  known  him  so  long.    As  soon 


THE  SEDEE  71 


as  she  had  an  opportunity,  she  de- 
murely bade  him  welcome,  adding 
in  a  low  tone  that  she  was  glad  to 
see  him  among  them,  and  have  her 
mother  know  him.  From  this 
Joseph  inferred  that,  as  he  was  now 
known  to  the  family,  there  was  no 
wrong  in  their  friendship,  and  that 
she  could  thereafter  recognize  him 
without  seeming  ill-bred.  To  show 
that  he  meant  to  take  full  advan- 
tage of  his  privilege,  he  continued  to 
talk  to  her  until  the  Rabbi  led  the 
way  into  another  room,  which  in 
modern  times  would  be  called  a 
dining-room.  In  the  centre  stood  a 
long,  rather  low  table,  which  took 
the  place  of  the  small  individual 
tables  generally  used  in  the  East. 
It  was  covered  with  a  white  damask 
cloth,  ornamented  with  an  embroi- 


72       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

dered  border  and  fringes  of  gold 
thread.  Upon  it  were  three  beau- 
tifully chased  plates  of  gold,  one  of 
which  held  the  shank-bone  of  a 
lamb  and  an  egg,  signifying  the 
Paschal  Lamb  and  the  offering  of 
the  Festival.  Upon  the  second  plate 
were  three  cakes  of  unleavened 
bread,  and  upon  the  third,  the  bitter 
herbs  to  be  eaten  in  memory  of 
Israel's  captivity  in  Egypt,  and  the 
bricks  and  mortar  of  their  bondage 
were  represented  by  a  paste  of 
almonds  and  apples,  which  had 
been  placed  in  a  gold  bowl.  Sus- 
pended from  the  ceiling  was  a 
chandelier  of  silver  inlaid  with 
gold.  Its  seven  arms  were  curious- 
ly wrought  lamps,  whose  flames 
were  fed  by  perfumed  oils.  Before 
each  person  was  a  cup  filled  with 


THE  SEDER  73 


wine,  which  was  brought  from 
Europe,  for  none  could  be  obtained 
in  Mahometan  countries,  and  the 
Jews  spared  no  expense  or  sacrifice 
in  their  religious  observances. 

When  all  was  ready,  the  servants, 
who  were  also  Hebrews,  took  their 
places  at  the  table,  for  since  high 
and  low  had  been  alike  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord  during  Israel's  bondage, 
the  Rabbi  said  that  so  they  were 
to  be  considered  after  redemption. 
Then  the  ceremony  began. 

Maimon,  as  the  master  of  the 
house,  intoned  the  Sanctification, 
after  which  they  drank  of  the  wine. 
Other  prayers  followed,  which  called 
for  the  eating  of  the  bitter  herbs 
and  the  breaking  of  one  of  the 
cakes,  the  bread  of  affliction.  Then, 
touching  the  lamb,  they  prayed  to 


74       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

be  allowed  to  return  to  the  land 
of  Israel;  after  which  came  the 
history  of  Israel's  servitude  and 
the  praises  of  the  Lord  sung  by 
Israel's  priests  since  the  founding 
of  the  Temple. 

The  services  concluded,  the  pre- 
cious vessels  were  carefully  remov- 
ed and  the  meal  served. 

Forks  and  knives  being  unknown, 
the  meats  were  all  finely  chopped 
and  stewed,  so  that  they  might  be 
eaten  with  thumb  and  forefinger. 
The  only  unstewed  meat  which  ap- 
peared was  a  roasted  chicken  stuff- 
ed with  raisins  and  pistachio  nuts. 
Jujubes,  peaches,  and  apricots  were 
cooked  with  the  meats,  for  sweets 
were  the  chief  feature  of  the  repast, 
even  most  of  the  vegetables  being 
flavored  with  them.    To  Joseph  it 


THE  SEDER  75 


seemed  as  though  it  were  a  feast 
out  of  a  tale. 

In  truth,  it  was  an  occasion  to  be 
remembered  and  spoken  of  during 
many  an  evening  and  Sabbath 
afterwards.  Raphael  listened  with 
wonder  to  the  description  of  the 
dinner  and  the  splendor  of  the  table 
appointments.  Joseph  had  seen 
parts  of  the  house  never  pene- 
trated by  strangers.  Under  Esther's 
guidance  he  had  beheld  marvellous 
furniture  of  ebony,  carved  and  in- 
laid with  silver,  and  cushions  em- 
broidered in  gold  and  silver.  Hang- 
ings there  were,  too,  of  velvet 
brought  from  Genoa  and  silks  from 
India. 

u  But  the  grandest  of  all  were  the 
books,"  said  Joseph.  "  It  seemed  to 
me   as  though   I   had  entered  an 


76        UNDEB  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

enchanted  palace,  there  were  so 
many  of  them  placed  upon  shelves, 
and  they  appeared  so  tempting. 
Truly,  I  forgot  Esther's  presence  and 
where  I  was,  and  stood  longing  to 
handle  them,"  he  continued,  almost 
sighing  with  regret. 

"  Books  again !  "  exclaimed  Ra- 
phael with  a  grimace.  "It  doth 
seem  as  though  thou  wilt  never 
have  enough." 

Joseph  smiled,  for  he  understood. 
Raphael  remained  silent  for  a  few 
minutes,  busily  forming  a  plan 
from  the  idea  which  had  suddenly 
entered  his  mind. 

"Why  shouldst  thou  not  attend 
some  of  the  lectures  at  the  Azhar  ? " 
he  asked.  "They  are  free  to  all, 
and  thou  mayest  come  and  go  as 
thou   listest.     7Tis    said    that    the 


THE  SEDER  77 


libraries  are  the  finest  outside  of 
Cordova  and  Bagdad,  and  it  is  now 
the  seat  of  learning  in  the  East.  I 
shall  find  out  how  and  when  the 
lectures  are  given." 

"  'Twill  be  the  best  of  all ! "  ex- 
claimed Joseph,  his  face  bright  with 
anticipation.  "It  will  be  a  joy  to 
advance  as  rapidly  as  we  shall 
then.'7 

"We,  indeed !"  responded  Ra- 
phael with  playful  show  of  indigna- 
tion. "  But,"  continued  he  blandly, 
"  I  presume  that  my  presence  will 
be  necessary  to  keep  thee  out  of 
mischief.  If  thou  art  not  under 
some  such  control,  who  knows  but 
that  thou  wilt  be  up  to  some  of  thy 
pranks,  and  outrage  the  dignity  of 
some  venerable  Imam." 

"  Tis  very  likely  that  I  shall  dis- 


78       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

grace  a  sedate  fellow  like  thee,"  an- 
swered Joseph  sarcastically.  "  Who 
was  it,  I  wonder,"  he  continued, 
addressing  the  surrounding  atmos- 
phere, "  that  one  day,  when  Yussuf 
fell  asleep,  placed  inside  of  his  tur- 
ban a  leef  soaked  with  water  ?  When 
the  poor  fellow  awakened,  he  did 
but  more  firmly  press  the  turban 
upon  his  head,  and  thus  brought 
down  a  shower,  which  made  him 
believe  that  the  heavens  had  sud- 
denly opened." 

Raphael  laughed  as  he  remem- 
bered his  fellow-apprentice's  plight 
when  he  clapped  his  hands  upon  the 
palm  sponge  in  his  turban. 

"  We  shall  allow  it  to  pass  with- 
out further  remark,"  he  continued 
with  gravity  of  deportment  contra- 
dicted by  his  twinkling  eyes. 


THE  SEDEE  79 


As  the  Sabbath  was  the  only 
day  of  the  week  which  was  their 
own,  they  made  their  expedition 
to  the  University  of  El  Azhar,  "  the 
splendid  mosque/7  on  the  following 
Saturday. 

It  was  a  great  building,  con- 
structed so  as  to  surround  a  square 
court.  Toward  Mecca — the  holy 
city — a  spacious  portico  was  used 
as  a  place  of  prayer.  On  each  of 
the  other  three  sides  were  porticoes, 
somewhat  smaller,  and  divided  into 
apartments,  each  destined  for  a 
certain  number  of  students. 

Each  apartment  contained  a  lib- 
rary for  the  use  of  its  frequenters, 
and  from  these  books  and  the  lec- 
tures of  the  professors  the  students 
were  expected  to  acquire  their  edu- 
cation.   Upon  their  first  attendance 


80       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

the  boys  listened  to  a  lecture  on 
algebra,  but  as  it  was  the  Sabbath, 
they  were  unable  to  obtain  problems 
from  the  library,  and  were  obliged  to 
return  for  them  another  day.  After 
this  they  went  as  often  as  they  could, 
and  even  Raphael  became  so  inter- 
ested that  he  forgot  to  grumble  at 
what  he  considered  his  friend's 
hobby. 

Life  ran  on  very  evenly  for  them; 
there  was  little  to  disturb  them. 
After  their  work  was  done,  they 
spent  the  evening  upon  the  roof 
reading  or  playing  dameh,  which 
corresponds  to  our  modern  game  of 
draughts.  On  Fridays,  however, 
they  went  to  the  bath,  and  attended 
the  Sabbath  services  at  the  syna- 
gogue in  the  Mellah,  spending  the  rest 
of  the  evening  with  Dame  Rebecca. 


CHAPTER  V 

CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH 

Joseph  had  been  over  a  year  at 
Fostat,  when  one  day  a  youth  arriv- 
ed at  the  work-shop,  who  seemed 
known  to  the  others,  and  appeared 
to  have  been  formerly  employed 
among  them. 

Joseph  noted  with  surprise  his 
white  linen  garments,  usually  worn 
only  by  the  higher  classes,  and  dur- 
ing the  day  he  saw  that  the  stranger 
remained  at  Abdah's  side,  and 
assisted  him  in  the  weighing  of 
gold  and  the  assorting  of  precious 
stones,  which  were  the  chief  of  the 
superintendent's  duties. 


82       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

It  was  not  until  after  midday, 
when  a  short  time  was  allowed  for 
the  noon  rest,  that  Joseph  had  an 
opportunity  to  speak  to  Raphael. 
The  two  boys  occasionally  occupied 
this  time  in  strolling  about  the  city, 
Eaphael  pointing  out  the  synagogue, 
of  which  Maimonides  was  the  head, 
or  some  other  noteworthy  place  in 
the  Mellah.  Thus  Joseph  had  soon 
become  acquainted  with  all  the 
places  of  interest  in  the  Jewish 
community,  and  had  come  to  feel 
as  much  at  home  in  Fostat  as 
though  born  and  bred  in  the  city. 

As  a  usual  thing,  however,  the 
two  spent  this  recess  in  a  sort  of 
cave,  which  they  had  found  in  the 
outskirts  of  the  city,  and  to  this 
retreat  they  went  on  this  day. 
They  were  lying  upon  the  ground, 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         83 

which  they  had  covered  with  an 
old  piece  of  carpet,  when  Joseph 
recalled  the  advent  of  the  strange 
youth. 

"Thou  must  mean  Hacam,  who 
arrived  to-day,"  said  Eaphael  in 
reply  to  Joseph's  question.  "He  is 
the  son  of  some  dignitary  in  Damas- 
cus, and  doth  come  here  to  learn 
the  value  of  precious  stones  and 
metals,  in  order  to  cultivate  his 
talent  for  bartering.  Thou  hast  not 
seen  him  before,  because  he  was 
with  the  Seyid  David  Ibn  Maimon, 
who  hath  made  a  great  expedition 
to  the  Indies,  and  hath  but  returned 
with  a  cargo  of  silks,  spices,  and 
precious  goods." 

"  Strange  that  he  should  come  all 
the  way  from  Damascus  to  learn 
these  things,"  commented  Joseph. 


84        UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

u,Tis  because  the  goldsmithy  of 
Maimon  is  so  extensive  and  well- 
known,  for  our  chief  hath  much 
knowledge  acquired  in  the  great  city 
of  Cordova,  which,  as  thou  knowest, 
is  the  fountain-head  of  all  Eastern 
art.  Mayhap  Hacam  is  not  averse 
to  using  the  influence  of  our  Kabbi, 
who  hath  the  right  ear  of  the  Sultan, 
may  he  be  blessed  by  the  Lord,  for 
he  is  wise  and  just.  'Tis  a  pity  that 
he  cannot  order  the  people  to  his 
way  of  thinking.  There  is  much 
strife  with  which  he  hath  to  con- 
tend, and  I  ween  he  hath  no  wish 
to  combat  prejudice  which  is 
stronger  than  he,  else  we  Jews  were 
not  obliged  to  humor  such  as  this 
Hacam." 

"Thou  dost  not  seem  to  bear  him 
great  love,"  remarked  Joseph,  pick- 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         85 

ing  up  a  pebble  and  carefully 
aiming  it  at  Raphael's  foot. 

"I  do  but  hope  that  he  hath  not 
again  brought  with  him  a  stock  of 
trinkets,  as  he  did  last  time,"  replied 
Raphael,  drawing  in  his  foot.  "I 
would  fain  keep  my  last  half-year's 
wage,"  he  added  as  regretfully  as  if 
he  had  already  invested  his  earnings. 

"Thou  hast  no  need  to  spend, 
if  thou  will  it  not,"  said  Joseph, 
amused  by  his  companion's  unusu- 
ally serious  mien. 

"Much  thou  knowest,  thou  wise 
man,"  retorted  Raphael.  "Look 
thou,  being  the  son  of  a  great  man, 
Hacam  doth  take  advantage  of  his 
power  to  make  us  purchase  his  gew- 
gaws for  twice  their  worth.  Thou 
hadst  best  not  let  him  wot  of  thy 
money,  else  'tis  lost." 


86       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"I  shall  not  spend  one  dirhem,  if 
I  do  not  so  choose,"  answered  Joseph 
with  determined  air. 

"I  pray  thee,  dispute  him  not/' 
said  Eaphael  anxiously.  "  He  doth 
more  than  suspect  that  some  of  us 
who  seem  Moslems  are  secretly  Jews, 
and  it  behooves  us  to  be  cautious,  for 
a  word  from  him  will  bring  a  mob 
about  our  ears." 

"  It  is  not  needful  to  seek  his  com- 
pany," responded  Joseph,  "  nor  shall 
I.  Nevertheless,  if  he  cometh  my 
way,  he  shall  not  lord  it  as  he  does 
with  the  others.  Besides,  Raphael," 
he  suddenly  burst>  out,  "  I  like  not 
this  masking  as  Mahometans,  for  is 
it  not  expressly  ordained  that  we 
should  suffer  death  rather  than 
worship  falsely  ? " 

"That  I  cannot  answer,"  replied 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         87 

Raphael,  "  but  this  I  do  know,  that 
the  Rabbi  Moses  doth  recommend 
outward  conformity  rather  than 
useless  opposition,  and  did  himself 
pretend  Islamism  before  he  gained 
the  protection  of  the  Sultan.  And 
Maimon  the  whole  world  knows 
as  an  authority,  for  he  is,  indeed,  a 
second  Moses,  come  forth  to  glorify 
our  faith  and  elevate  us  in  the  eyes 
of  the  world.  So  great  is  his  power 
that  both  Jew  and  Gentile  consult 
his  wisdom,  and  thou  knowest  that 
every  Rabbi  and  student  of  the  Law 
uses  but  Holy  Writ  and  Maimon's 
Religious  Code.  'Tis  therefore  that 
the  few  envious  ones  here  complain 
that  Rabbi  Moses'  word  is  allowed 
to  supersede  the  Talmud.  Thus 
shouldst  thou  be  able  to  quiet  thy 
conscience.    But,  Joseph,  tell  me,1' 


88       UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

he  continued  curiously,  "  wherefore 
hast  thou  tarried  here,  if  it  was  not 
to  thy  liking,  for  surely  there  are 
other  cities  where  the  Jews  are 
powerful  ?  Perchance  thou  mightst 
become  a  doctor  of  the  Law,  for 
truly  thou  wert  meant  to  be  greater 
than  a  mere  goldsmith." 

"It  is  because  I  have  found  a 
home  here,"  the  other  answered, 
staring  at  the  ground  as  though  he 
were  thinking  of  other  things. 
"  But  wherefore  should  I  not  tell 
thee?"  he  continued  softly  as  he 
raised  his  eyes.  "Since  it  will 
always  be  before  me,  thou  mayest 
as  well  know,  so  that  there  shall  be 
no  secret  betwixt  us,  but  only  that 
confidence  which  should  be;  for 
thou  wert  as  ready  with  thy  friend- 
ship as  though   thou   hadst  been 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         89 

my  born  brother.  Listen  then,  Ra- 
phael," he  added  passionately.  "  'Tis 
not  a  story  that  I  love  to  tell,  for  it 
hath  been  burned  into  my  memory 
with  the  red-hot  irons  of  grief  and 
desire  for  revenge."  And  he  told 
Raphael  the  tale  of  his  father's 
death. 

"And  I  have  become  a  gold- 
smith," he  continued,  uthat  I  may 
gain  wealth,  for  is  it  not  the  one 
means  by  which  we  Jews  may  now 
win  power  ?  All  their  hate  of  us  is 
naught  but  envy  of  the  gold  which 
they  have  neither  the  wit  to  gain 
nor  the  thrift  to  save.  Give  me 
treasure,  and  I  shall  procure  the 
protection  of  the  most  Christian 
king  of  Europe  or  the  most  austere 
Moslem  ruler  of  Africa.  Thus,  with 
gold,  even  I  shall  have  the  power  to 


90       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

wreak  vengeance  upon  the  Count 
de  Fournoire,  since  I  shall  not  sub- 
mit quietly  to  the  injury  which 
every  man  of  them  believes  he  hath 
the  right  to  inflict  upon  us.  Mark 
thou  this,  Kaphael,  if  every  Jew 
had  been  less  submissive,  and  had 
shown  some  of  the  fire  and  courage 
which  animated  our  forefathers, 
we  should  not  now  be  a  despised 
and  persecuted  people." 

"Now  thou  knowest,"  he  added 
after  a  little,  "  why  I  shall  not  fol- 
low the  steps  of  learned  men,  which, 
indeed,  were  nearer  my  heart." 

"  I  had  no  inkling  that  thou  didst 
carry  such  thoughts.  Verily,  thou 
hast  been  planning  and  thinking 
this  past  year  as  a  man  would,  and 
I  have  thought  thee  simply  a  boy 
like  myself,  with  just  as  much  love 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         91 


of  fun  and  frolic  and  a  greater 
liking  for  books,"  said  Raphael, 
looking  at  Joseph  with  all  the  ad- 
miration he  would  have  shown  for 
an  elder  brother.  Silently  they  re- 
turned to  their  work,  Joseph  walk- 
ing with  his  hand  on  the  shoulder 
of  Eaphael,  who  felt  that  he  now 
understood  his  friend  better  than 
ever  before. 

Concerning  Hacam,  Raphael  said 
nothing  more.  He  hoped  that  for- 
tune would  keep  the  two  boys 
apart. 

A  few  days  later,  Joseph,  Ra- 
phael, and  a  number  of  the  other 
apprentices,  were  spending  the  noon 
hour  beneath  a  tree,  playing  with 
an  ivory  ball,  which  they  attempted 
to  toss  into  a  hole  a  few  feet  away. 
Presently    they    were    joined    by 


92        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Hacam,  who  quietly  watched  the 
game  for  a  little  while.  Then  he 
offered  for  sale  a  small,  prettily  or- 
namented ball,  which  he  had  taken 
from  his  sash.  The  boys,  one  after 
the  other,  timidly  refused,  because 
they  had  already  spent  their  sav- 
ings. When  it  came  his  turn,  how- 
ever, Joseph  said  boldly  that  he  did 
not  want  it.  Hacam  looked  at  him 
in  surprise. 

"It  is  the  custom  here  to  pur- 
chase what  I  offer,"  he  said. 

"  Mayhap  it  be,"  answered  Joseph 
calmly,  "nevertheless  I  have  no 
wish  for  the  trinket." 

"  And  I  have  no  wish  to  keep  my 
stock,"  returned  the  other,  his  thin 
face  flushing  and  his  small  eyes 
glittering  with  ill-suppressed  anger. 

Joseph  felt  his  heart  beat  faster 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         93 

and  the  blood  rush  to  his  face,  but 
he  answered  quietly : 

"  Since  I  have  no  money,  and  do 
not  desire  the  ball,  further  dispute 
were  in  vain,  Hacam." 

"Thou  hast  no  money?"  asked 
Hacam,  his  face  wrinkling  in  deri- 
sion. "  Get  it  then,  for  buy  the  ball 
thou  shalt,  thou  dog  of  a  Jew." 

"I  aim  not  to  quarrel  with  thee," 
returned  Joseph,  losing  his  temper, 
"but  if  thou  swallow  not  those  last 
words  of  thine,  I  shall  speedily  de- 
liver thee  a  sermon  such  as  thou 
hast  long  stood  in  need  of." 

Both  boys  were  standing  now? 
Hacam  sneering  and  Joseph's  eyes 
sparkling  with  anger.  The  others 
looked  on  in  wonder. 

"Do,  if  thou  darest,  thou  dog- 
Jew!"   Hacam  responded,  dealing 


94       UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Joseph  a  blow  with  his  fist,  which 
was  quickly  returned  with  hearty- 
interest.  Before  the  rest  could  real- 
ize it,  the  two  boys  had  cast  prudence 
to  the  winds,  and  were  pommelling 
each  other  in  good  earnest. 

As  soon  as  Raphael  had  partly 
recovered  from  his  astonishment, 
for  no  one  had  believed  that  Joseph 
would  be  so  daring,  he  began,  with 
the  assistance  of  the  others,  to 
separate  the  two  combatants;  but 
he  did  not  succeed  before  Hacam 
had  been  partly  thrashed,  and 
Joseph  somewhat  bruised. 

As  the  boys  were  returning  to 
their  work,  Hacam  addressed 
Joseph,  and  said  threateningly: 

"Thou  shalt  answer  for  this! " 

"As  speedily  as  it  may  please 
thee,"  coolly  answered  Joseph,  no 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         95 

suspicion  of  the  sort  of  revenge 
Hacam  would  seek  crossing  his 
mind. 

That  evening,  as  they  walked 
home,  Raphael  gave  vent  to  the 
fears  he  had  been  nursing  all  after- 
noon. 

"  A  pretty  day's  labor  thou  hast 
made  of  it,  Joseph,"  he  said.  "  Ha- 
cam will  not  fight  it  out  with  thee 
as  men  would  settle  such  a  disagree- 
ment, but  will  shield  himself  behind 
his  father's  greatness,  and  then  seek 
to  do  thee  some  great  injury.  May- 
hap he  will  watch  thee  at  some 
Jewish  observance,  and  then  de- 
nounce thee  as  a  renegade  Moslem." 

"Ay,  but  '  first  he  must  capture 
the  lion,  ere  he  can  sell  its  skin,' " 
answered  Joseph  lightly.  "But  of 
this,  my  mentor,  I  think  we  may 


96        UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

rest  assured — in  future  he  will  not 
be  so  eager  to  force  his  stock  upon 
us." 

Here  they  were  interrupted  by  the 
muezzin's  command,  "To  prayer! 
to  prayer !  all  ye  faithful,  for  there 
is  no  God  but  Allah,  the  God  of 
Mahomet."  This  summons  the  boys 
were  obliged  to  obey,  although  it 
was  always  with  a  guilty  pang  that 
Joseph  performed  a  Mahometan 
ceremony.  They  knelt  in  apparent 
supplication  until  many  had  finished 
their  prayer,  so  that  they  might 
arise  without  exciting  suspicion. 
No  sooner  had  they  gained  their 
feet  than  they  were  confronted  by 
Hacam's  almost  cadaverous  face, 
the  more  repulsive  now  by  reason 
of  a  sarcastic  grin.  The  boys  re- 
sumed their  walk  without  further 


CHAMPION  OF  HIS  FAITH         97 

remark,  but,  notwithstanding  his 
seeming  ease  of  mind,  Joseph  could 
not  help  having  a  slight  foreboding 
as  to  the  result  of  his  battle.  In 
truth,  he  had  not  long  to  wait  ere 
he  discovered  that  there  were  good 
grounds  for  disquiet. 


CHAPTER  VI 

A  PERILLOUS  MISSION 

The  following  morning  Abdah  ap- 
proached Joseph,  and  without  even 
the  preface  of  a  greeting  spoke  of 
yesterday's  dispute. 

"What  brawl  is  this  in  which 
thou  wast  yestreen  engaged?"  he 
asked.  "It  doth  seem  that  'twere 
sufficient  for  thee  to  attend  to  thy 
duties,  without  stirring  up  the  ap- 
prentices. Thou  art  old  enough, 
and  hast  enough  of  the  looks  of  a 
man  to  warrant  thy  carrying  thy- 
self as  one,"  he  continued,  grimly 
glancing  at  the  young  mustache 
and  beard  which  Joseph  had  ten- 


A  PEEILLOUS  MISSION  99 

derly  cherished  during  the  past 
year. 

"  Hacam  did  truly  earn  what  he  re- 
ceived," said  Joseph,  wishing  to  let 
Abdah  know  that  he  had  not  begun 
the  quarrel, l '  and  he  hath  no  cause  to 
murmur,  for  he  had  the  advantage  in 
age,  being  three  years  older  than  I." 

"With  thy  experience,  thou 
shouldst  have  had  the  advantage 
in  judgment,"  responded  Abdah, 
his  face  losing  some  of  its  habitual 
grimness.  "Next  year  thou  wilt 
be  eighteen  and  the  full-grown  man 
thou  dost  already  seem.  But,"  he 
added,  "think  not  that  thou  hast 
heard  the  end  of  this,  for  it  hath 
come  to  the  ears  of  the  Seyid  Moses 
Ibn  Maimon,  who  would  have 
speech  with  thee,  and  demands  thy 
immediate  attendance." 


100     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Joseph,  surprised  that  so  trivial 
a  matter  should  have  reached 
Abdah,  much  more  his  employer, 
repaired  to  the  Kabbi's  house,  in- 
dignant at  the  want  of  manliness 
which  had  led  Hacam  to  complain, 
and  apprehensive  lest  he  had  in- 
curred his  master's  displeasure. 

He  was  directed  to  the  laboratory, 
where  he  found  the  Rabbi,  who 
greeted  him  gravely. 

"  News  of  yesterday's  altercation 
hath  reached  me,"  Maimon  began, 
while  Joseph  felt  his  heart  sink, 
"and  I  have  sent  for  thee  that  thou 
mightst  be  warned  for  the  future. 
In  antagonizing  Hacam  thou  hast 
created  an  enemy  who  may  do 
more  to  thy  hurt  than  a  hundred 
friends  can  benefit  thee.  Mayhap 
thou  hast  done  more  than  this,  for 


A  PEEILLOUS  MISSION  101 

'tis  possible  that,  by  thy  lack  of 
discretion,  thou  hast  brought  mis- 
fortune upon  many  in  my  house. 
Thou  art  aware  of  the  danger  from 
Mahometan  bigots,  who,  though 
they  know  that  we  are  Jews,  are 
not  disposed  to  meddle,  seeing  that 
I  have  the  Sultan's  protection, 
unless  perchance  they  be  prompted 
by  some  malicious  person,  and  then 
all  the  flower  of  Saladin's  army 
would  avail  us  nothing  against  the 
fanatical  fury  of  a  religious  mob, 
urged  on  by  those  who  are  jealous 
of  the  Sultan's  favor." 

Joseph,  who  had  grown  red  and 
embarrassed  while  the  Rabbi  spoke, 
forgot  his  discomfiture,  and  looked 
up  in  alarm. 

"Indeed,  sir,"  he  said  earnestly, 
"  I  meant  not  to  do  aught  that  could 


102     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

harm  you.  It  was  in  this  wise  that 
it  occurred.  It  hath  gone  somewhat 
against  the  grain  for  me  to  play  the 
Moslem,  and  when  Hacam  cast  my 
being  a  Jew  into  my  face,  as  though 
it  were  a  degradation,  my  blood 
boiled,  and  methinks  I  lost  sight  of 
all  but  the  insult." 

"  I  comprehend  what  thy  feeling 
was,"  responded  the  Eabbi  some- 
what thoughtfully,  "for  thou  art 
not  the  only  Jew  who  regards  such 
treatment  with  resentment,  but  we 
must  all  be  cautious  in  giving  vent 
to  our  emotions.  As  for  this  acting 
the  Moslem,  it  is  a  question  which 
hath  many  aspects.  I  infer  that 
thou  hast  been  thus  affected :  thou 
hast  not  felt  it  right  to  pray  in 
private  as  a  Jew  and  in  public  as  a 
Mahometan,  consequently  brawling 


A  PEKILLOUS  MISSION  103 

with  Hacam  served  as  an  outlet  for 
thy  guilty  feeling.  Is  it  not  so  ? "  he 
queried,  smiling  gravely. 

Joseph  assented,  too  perturbed  to 
say  much,  while  his  master  con- 
tinued : 

"Thou  needst  have  no  qualms 
about  so  worshipping,  as  I  have  said 
in  the  synagogue;  we  in  no  sense 
pay  homage  to  heathenism  by  our 
actions,  and  do  but  repeat  an  empty 
formula,  which  cultivated  Mahom- 
etans themselves  know  is  not  uttered 
in  sincerity,  but  because  'tis  neces- 
sary to  circumvent  the  bigoted 
ignorance  of  the  masses." 

So  interested  was  Joseph  by  this 
time,  and  so  glad  to  have  his  doubts 
settled  by  such  an  authority,  that 
everything  but  the  wrongs  of  the 
faith  he  loved  slipped  from  his  mind. 


104     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"  Doth  it  ever  seem  strange  to 
you,  O  illustrious  Rabbi,  that  God 
should  permit  heathens  to  persecute 
his  chosen  people  ? "  he  asked. 

"  Who  are  we  that  we  should  ven- 
ture to  question  the  ways  of  Israel's 
God,  exalted  be  His  name,"  answer- 
ed the  Rabbi  devoutly.  "  The  sage 
hath  said,  that  '  if  God  allows  those 
who  transgress  His  will  to  live  hap- 
pily on  earth,  how  infinitely  great 
must  be  the  happiness  which  He 
hath  stored  up  in  the  world  to  come 
for  those  who  observe  His  com- 
mands P  " 

"And  I,  like  a  fool,  have  doubted 
the  sagacity  of  our  leaders ! "  Joseph 
exclaimed.  "  Perchance  through 
over- wisdom  I  have  drawn  evil  upon 
my  benefactor.  It  were  better  that 
I  should  journey  hence,  ere  the  mat- 


A  PEEILLOUS  MISSION  105 

ter  is  noised  about,"  he  added,  look- 
ing anxiously  at  the  Eabbi. 

"Thou  hast  now  no  need  of  so 
serious  a  step,"  Maimon  answered, 
"  Hacam  hath  this  day  returned  to 
Damascus,  and  perhaps  he  thinks 
no  more  of  the  matter,  nevertheless 
let  it  be  a  warning.  But,"  contin- 
ued he,  "  it  is  of  another  matter  that 
I  would  speak  to  thee.  I  have  need 
of  a  messenger  who  can  travel 
quickly  and  secretly,  letting  neither 
fatigue  nor  danger  easily  overcome 
him." 

"  You  will  choose  me,  I  pray  you," 
interrupted  Joseph  eagerly — 

"Nay,"  said  Maimon,  slowly 
stroking  his  black  beard,  yet  pleased 
with  Joseph's  alacrity,  "that  thou 
shalt  decide,  for  'tis  a  mission 
fraught   with    some    danger,    one 


106     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

requiring  circumspection,  Word 
hath  been  brought  me  that  Odo, 
Lord  of  Jerbail,  hath  made  over- 
tures to  the  Frankish  invaders,  and 
doth  meditate  delivering  into  their 
hands  one  of  the  strongholds  of  Sal- 
adin.  Tis  my  duty  to  warn  my 
lord,  and  it  is  for  that  I  require  a 
messenger  who  hath  both  courage 
and  intelligence.  Mayhap  he  must 
travel  through  the  enemy's  coun- 
try, for  it  is  not  known  in  Fostat 
where  the  Sultan's  army  lieth.  Art 
thou  willing  to  undertake  it  ? " 

"Blithely  shall  I,  were  it  but  to 
prove  my  gratitude  to  my  benefac- 
tor," quickly  answered  Joseph,  his 
face  brightening  at  the  prospect  of 
some  chance  adventure,  for  it  was 
the  age  of  chivalry  in  both  the 
Christian  and  the  Moslem  world. 


A  PEKLLLOUS  MISSION  107 

Many  were  the  glowing  tales  told 
of  great  and  noble  undertakings, 
firing  the  adventurous  spirit  of 
young  and  old,  although  little 
chance  had  a  Jewish  youth  of  grat- 
ifying his  taste  in  that  direction. 

"  Well  and  nobly  answered !  "  ex- 
claimed the  Rabbi.  "I  do  gladly 
avail  myself  of  thy  service,  for  I 
believe  that  thy  wit  and  fidelity  will 
carry  thee  through.  Listen,  then," 
he  continued.  "  To  the  Sultan  thou 
shalt  deliver  a  letter,  but  breathe 
not  a  word  of  thy  mission  to  any 
one.  Shouldst  thou,  perchance,  be 
questioned,  thou  bearest  medicines 
to  the  Sultan  from  his  physician 
Maimon.  Of  the  Sultan's  exact 
whereabouts  I  can  give  thee  little 
intelligence,  as  I  did  tell  thee.  He 
hath  broken   camp,  and  travelled 


108      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

northward  to  meet  the  attack  of 
Richard  of  England  and  the  other 
Frankish  leaders.  At  Damascus 
seek  Rabbi  David,  to  whom  also  I 
shall  give  thee  a  letter.  Him  thou 
mayest  trust,  and  to  him  apply  for 
what  directions  thou  mayest  need. 
It  is  my  belief  that  thou  wilt  over- 
take the  Sultan  between  Jerusalem 
and  Beyrout,  for  the  Frankish  ex- 
pedition has  set  sail  from  the  Isle 
of  Cyprus,  and  will  land  as  near  the 
Holy  City  as  may  be.  Go  thou  now, 
and  prepare  thyself  to  start  at  day- 
break," the  Rabbi  concluded,  "for 
the  matter  brooks  no  delay.  Thou 
shalt  find  me  at  the  East  Gate  with 
horses  and  what  attendance  thou 
mayest  require." 

Joseph  left    the    physician.    He 
was  overwhelmed  by  the  import- 


A  PEKILLOUS  MISSION  109 

ance  of  the  errand  entrusted  to  him, 
but  as  he  began  to  realize  the 
confidence  reposed  in  him,  a  new 
feeling  of  self-reliance  took  posses- 
sion of  him,  and  he  felt  that  he 
was  entering  upon  man's  estate. 

He  returned  to  his  lodgings  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements 
for  his  departure.  He  knew  that 
if  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Crusaders,  there  was  possibility 
of  his  not  coming  back,  neither 
Jew  nor  Moslem  being  treated  with 
much  consideration.  He  told  Dame 
Rebecca  that  he  was  leaving  the 
city,  and  was  not  sure  of  return- 
ing, giving  her  at  the  same  time 
some  of  his  clothing  to  be  bestowed 
upon  some  needy  Jew. 

The  more  precious  of  his  posses- 
sions he  put  into  a  small  chest, 


110      UNDEB  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

which  was  to  be  delivered  into  Ra- 
phael's keeping,  and  in  the  event 
of  Joseph's  not  returning  was  to 
belong  to  his  friend.  Having  done 
this,  he  went  to  the  roof  to  await 
his  comrade's  coming  and  de- 
cide upon  what  he  might  need  in 
the  way  of  arms  and  equipment. 
When  Raphael  came,  Joseph  told 
him  as  much  as  he  might  of  his 
mission,  in  which  there  was  nothing 
surprising  to  Raphael,  unbounded 
as  his  acjmiration  for  Joseph  was. 
They  then  set  out  to  make  a  few 
purchases,  including  a  small  dagger 
for  Joseph's  personal  use.  They 
rightly  concluded  that  the  Rabbi 
would  provide  what  large  arms 
were  needed. 

Very  little  sleep  either  Joseph  or 
Raphael  got  that  night,  and  both 


A  PERILLOUS  MISSION  111 

were  up  betimes  next  morning. 
After  taking  their  morning  meal, 
which  had  been  made  ready  the 
preceding  evening,  Joseph  took 
leave  of  Dame  Rebecca,  who  was 
by  that  time  stirring.  Then  he 
returned  to  his  companion.  The 
thought  of  parting  and  Raphael's 
unnaturally  sober  face  robbed  him 
of  words.  They  sat  looking  at 
each  other,  silent,  until  Joseph  re- 
membered that  time  was  passing. 
Arising,  he  placed  his  dagger  in  his 
sash,  and  threw  his  long-hooded 
cloak  over  his  shoulder.  Turning 
to  Raphael,  who  was  now  stand- 
ing, he  said  gently,  "  What  must  be, 
must  be,  Raphael." 

But  Raphael  threw  his  arms 
about  his  friend's  neck,  and  the  two 
held  each  other  in  close  embrace. 


112      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"  Perchance  I  may  never  see  thee 
again,  Joseph,"  said  Raphael,  his 
eyes  bright  and  his  voice  breaking. 

"And  perchance,  by  some  stroke 
of  luck,  I  shall  make  both  our  for- 
tunes," his  friend  replied  with  an 
attempt  at  gaiety.  "Take  it  not 
so  seriously,  for  we  shall  soon  be 
together  again,  and  do  thou  not 
neglect  the  lectures  at  El  Azhar, 
for  I  shall  expect  thee  to  tell  me 
much  when  I  return.  Thou  art 
almost  a  man,  and,  as  for  me,  it 
seems  as  though  years  had  passed 
since  I  indulged  in  boyish  pleas- 
ures. So  then,  let  us  part  like  men, 
for  I  may  not  tarry  longer.  May 
God  be  ever  with  thee,  my  friend." 

"And  with  thee  also,"  softly  re- 
sponded Raphael  as  Joseph  left 
him. 


CHAPTER  VII 

A   DESERT   JOURNEY 

Upon  reaching  the  street  Joseph 
walked  rapidly  through  the  de- 
serted lanes  and  by-ways  in  the 
direction  of  the  East  Gate.  Hardly 
had  he  arrived  there  when  a  cloud 
of  dust  warned  him  of  the  ap- 
proach of  horsemen.  They  proved 
to  be  Maimon  with  some  four  or 
five  followers,  mounted  and  armed. 
The  entire  party  halted  while  the 
Rabbi  rode  forward,  and,  dismount- 
ing, greeted  Joseph,  with  whom  he 
walked  a  few  steps  so  as  to  be  be- 
yond earshot  of  the  others. 
Giving  Joseph  a  package  bound 


114      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

with  gold  thread  and  bearing  the 
official  seal  of  the  Sultan's  physi- 
cian, he  said : 

"This  packet  contains  the  med- 
icines on  account  of  which  thou  art 
supposed  to  be  journeying  to  the 
Sultan.  Place  it  in  thy  girdle,  and 
let  all  believe  that  it  is  the  cause  of 
thy  errand.  When  thou  reachest 
the  camp,  demand  to  see  the  Sultan 
in  the  name  of  his  physician.  The 
packet,  as  thou  seest,  has  three 
seals,  but  the  middle  one  bears 
the  secret  sign  known  only  to  the 
Sultan  and  his  council." 

Joseph  examined  the  seal,  and 
found  that  what  seemed  at  first 
to  be  the  physician's  sign  was  in 
reality  another  device,  two  daggers 
crossed. 

"If  there  are  courtiers  with  his 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  115 

Majesty,  offer  the  medicines  with 
the  seals  uppermost.  When  he  sees 
the  manner  of  sealing,  he  will  give 
thee  a  sign,  for  which  I  shall  give 
thee  the  countersign.  From  this 
he  will  understand  that  thou  dost 
wish  a  private  audience.  This  mis- 
sive," he  continued,  handing  Joseph 
a  letter  tied  with  gold  thread  and 
sealed  with  the  secret  sign,  "thou 
art  to  deliver  to  the  Sultan  when 
none  are  by.  It  contains  the  in- 
formation which  is  the  reason  of 
thy  journey.  Place  it  within  thy 
tunic,  and,"  he  said  impressively, 
"let  none  wot  of  its  existence,  for 
the  air  is  full  of  treachery,  and 
in  these  war  times  a  man  scarce 
knows  friend  from  foe.  Joseph",— 
the  Rabbi's  voice  became  gentle  as 
he  placed  his  hand  upon  the  youth's 


116      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

shoulder — "  I  trust  thee  greatly.  Be 
but  faithful,  and  thou  wilt  render 
me  a  service  for  which  I  shall  see 
thee  duly  recompensed." 

"You  may  rest  assured  of  the 
loyalty  and  fidelity  which  are  my 
benefactor's  due,"  responded  Joseph, 
much  moved  by  the  Rabbi's  man- 
ner, and  resolving  to  let  no  obstacle 
stand  in  the  way  of  serving  his 
patron. 

"  This  hath  Esther  requested  me 
to  deliver  unto  thee,"  continued 
Maimon,  smiling  imperceptibly  and 
giving  Joseph  a  folded  paper  tied 
with  silver  thread.  "  It  doth  seem  to 
me,"  he  added,  gravely, "  that  though 
having  seen  thee  only  once,  she  takes 
great  interest  in  thy  welfare." 

Joseph  grew  red,  but  remained 
silent  while  the  Rabbi  went  on — 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  117 

"  Nay,  blush  not  so,  for  I  under- 
stand that  thou  dost  not  wish  to 
tell  that  she  has  known  thee  all 
along;  but  think  not  that  Esther 
saw  thee  without  her  uncle's  knowl- 
edge, although  her  mother  divined 
it  not." 

"  You  knew  it?"  asked  Joseph  in 
wonder.  "  Believe  me,  Rabbi,"  he 
continued  rapidly,  "  Esther  is  not  to 
be  censured,  for  I  did  persuade  her 
into  so  meeting  me." 

"  I  believe  thee,  inasmuch  as  thou 
wouldst  shield  my  madcap  niece," 
answered  Maimon  laughing,  "but 
neither  thou,  nor  I,  nor  any  one 
else  had  so  persuaded  her,  had  it 
not  been  to  her  inclination.  I  did 
never  agree  with  her  mother  that 
a  maiden  should  be  held  as  a 
blossom  to  whom  the  least  rough 


118      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

breath  may  do  injury,  and  it  did 
please  me  mightily  to  see  her  take 
interest  in  the  books  I  lent  her,  for 
I  warrant  thee  that  she  delivered 
them  not  without  first  looking  be- 
tween the  lids." 

"And  you  were  aware  that  she 
lent  your  books  to  a  strange  youth, 
and  yet  interfered  not?"  said  Joseph 
astonished  and  yet  relieved  that  the 
Rabbi  did  not  take  it  seriously. 

"Who  but  me,  didst  think,  put 
certain  books  in  her  way  ? "  asked 
Maimon.  "  It  were  hardly  natural 
for  a  maiden  to  choose  the  works  of 
the  learned  Rabbis  or  the  philosophy 
of  Greece  as  interesting  reading, 
but  I  had  a  wish  to  know  of  what 
stuff  thine  intellect  was  made. 
But,"  continued  he  in  a  serious  tone, 
"let  us  to  this    matter  in  hand! 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  119 

These  four  men  are  to  accompany 
thee  to  the  camp,  and  upon  the  one 
who  is  first  thou  mayest  rely  as 
a  guide.  The  others  are  of  the 
Sultan's  household,  and  will  give 
credibility  to  thine  errand,  as  they 
wear  the  livery  of  the  palace." 

Advancing  with  Joseph  toward 
the  horsemen,  who  had  remained 
in  the  road,  Maimonides  spoke  to 
the  foremost : 

"  Ibrahim,  this  is  the  youth  whom 
thou  and  the  others  are  to  accom- 
pany, and  whom  ye  are  to  regard 
as  your  leader." 

Here  the  four  threw  themselves 
from  the  horses,  and  after  bowing 
before  the  royal  physician,  greeted 
their  young  master  with  another 
obeisance. 

"Spare    neither    horse-flesh   nor 


120     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

gold,"  said  the  Rabbi  in  a  tone  of 
stern  command,  which  seemed  to 
belong  to  his  dignified  carriage, 
"  but  reach  Damascus  as  speedily  as 
may  be.  Should  you  be  attacked 
in  the  desert,  see  to  it  that  the 
youth  is  safe  at  the  risk  of  all  else, 
for  'tis  upon  his  Majesty's  errand 
that  he  journeys." 

"He  who  travelleth  from  the 
illustrious  Maimon  to  the  great 
Sultan,  upon  whom  may  Allah 
shower  his  choicest  blessings,  hath 
the  right  to  be  protected  by  our  last 
drop  of  blood,"  answered  Ibrahim, 
again  bending  low.  "Upon  our 
courage  and  good  faith  the  Seyid 
may  rely." 

Joseph  mounted  the  horse  which 
had  been  brought  for  him,  and 
received  a  light  shield  of  rhinoceros 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  121 

hide  and  a  long  spear,  which  was 
used  as  the  lance  was  employed  in 
Europe.  After  placing  in  his  sash 
the  scimitar  and  another  dagger 
which  were  given  to  him,  he  was 
fully  armed.  The  party  accordingly 
set  off,  Joseph,  who  had  already 
exchanged  farewells  with  Maimon, 
leading. 

They  rode  on  in  silence,  for  time 
was  too  precious  for  trifling,  and, 
indeed,  Joseph,  grown  unaccus- 
tomed to  riding,  was  at  first  too 
much  occupied  in  accommodating 
himself  to  his  horse's  rapid  pace  to 
attend  to  much  else. 

The  scenery  was  not  new  to  him; 
it  was  only  a  repetition  of  the  fertile 
fields  of  waving  grain  which  Ra- 
phael and  he  had  often  seen  in  their 
holiday  excursions.    So  familiar  it 


122      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

all  appeared  that  our  youth  soon 
fell  to  thinking  of  the  friend  whom 
he  had  left.  He  was  so  busy  with 
his  thoughts  that  he  did  not  observe 
the  intensity  of  the  sun's  heat, 
until  Ibrahim  suggested  a  halt  for 
the  midday  rest. 

They  dismounted  at  the  border  of 
a  small  wood,  and  while  one  man 
went  in  search  of  a  spring,  another 
went  to  gather  dates  from  a  group 
of  palms  which  grew^  near  by. 
Those  who  remained,  Joseph  among 
them,  looked  to  their  horses,  for, 
like  wise  travellers,  they  attended 
to  the  wants  of  their  steeds  before 
their  own. 

They  enjoyed  their  meal  of  bread 
and  dates,  and  drank  the  water 
from  the  spring,  which  had  been 
carried     in     the     leather     bottles 


A  DESEKT  J0UENEY  123 

brought  for  the  purpose.  After 
this  the  men  retired  a  little  dis- 
tance to  take  the  noon  sleep.  Joseph 
took  advantage  of  solitude  to  ex- 
amine Esther's  missive.  Breaking 
the  thread,  he  found  that  it  was 
folded  like  a  letter,  and  upon  open- 
ing it  he  saw  the  words:  "God 
speed  thee,  and  give  thee  success." 
And  then  he  fell  to  thinking  of 
Esther  and  after  that  of  Maimon's 
last  words  to  him,  at  which  he  still 
wondered,  remembering  Raphael's 
rosy  predictions  when  he,  the 
obscure  Joseph  Ibn  Assan,  had 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  illus- 
trious Maimon.  His  veins  tingled 
with  excitement,  as  it  flashed  into 
his  mind  that  perhaps  the  Rabbi's 
condescension  toward  him  was  in 
reality  a  sign  of  interest  and  not 


124      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

the  mark  of  courtesy  which  the 
distinguished  man  would  bestow 
upon  any  Jew.  "But  why  should 
Maimon,  who  is  the  Sultan's  attend- 
ant, and  whose  companions  are  the 
highest  nobles  in  the  Empire,  look 
upon  nameless  me  otherwise  than 
as  a  Jew  whose  need  he  has 
relieved?  In  truth,"  thought  he 
proudly,  "  right  happy  am  I  that 
this  journey  doth  give  me  a  chance 
to  make  some  payment  of  the 
debt." 

He  was  aroused  from  his  revery 
by  his  attendants,  who  had  re- 
saddled  the  horses,  and  stood 
awaiting  his  pleasure.  Brought 
back  to  every-day  thoughts  and 
the  importance  of  his  present  labor, 
he  quickly  gave  the  order  to  mount 
and  continue  upon  their  way. 


A  DESEET  JOURNEY  125 

They  passed  out  of  Egypt  into 
Arabia,  traversing  the  country 
through  which,  centuries  before, 
the  tribes  of  Israel  had  wandered, 
uniting  into  a  nation  whose  ancient 
glory  was  to  be  sung  after  they  had 
again  become  scattered,  this  time 
over  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Of  this  Joseph  thought  as  he 
observed  the  change  in  the  char- 
acter of  the  scenery.  They  had 
reached  the  sandy  plains  of  the 
coast,  and  the  monotony  of  the 
outlook  was  varied  only  by  the 
sand-hills,  a  continuation  of  the 
mountains  in  the  distance.  As 
night  drew  on,  and  the  sun's  rays 
became  less  oppressive,  Joseph  paid 
more  attention  to  the  landscape. 
The  moon,  which  had  just  risen, 
emphasized    the  blackness  of  the 


126      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

sterile  plain,  covered  as  it  was  with 
pebbles  of  basalt  and  flint,  and 
seemed  to  intensify  its  general 
gloom,  while  the  occasional  patches 
of  sand  or  withered  grass  were 
rendered  more  conspicuous  by  the 
brightness  of  the  planet's  white 
light.  They  rode  on  silently  and 
swiftly,  keeping  close  together,  in 
order  not  to  attract  the  attention  of 
the  roving  marauders  who  lived 
among  the  hills.  Wrapped  in  their 
dark  cloaks,  our  party  seemed  too 
indistinguishable  a  mass  to  appear, 
even  to  the  keen  eyes  of  a  bandit, 
as  other  than  a  cloud  of  sand. 
The  excitement  of  the  danger 
and  hard  riding  had  already  begun 
to  tell  on  both  men  and  horses, 
when  Joseph  decided  upon  the  need 
of  a  short  rest,  but  the  night  had 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  127 

worn  well  on  before  they  entered  a 
depression  in  the  plain  which  would 
afford  them  the  necessary  shelter. 
Here  they  saw  a  patch  of  vegetation, 
which,  with  a  well  and  a  group  of 
black  tents,  announced  the  tem- 
porary residence  of  a  wandering 
tribe. 

Joseph,  having  given  the  signal 
to  dismount,  summoned  Ibrahim. 
After  a  hurried  consultation  in 
whispers,  they  decided  to  trust  to 
the  proverbial  hospitality  of  the 
Arab  nomad  rather  than  to  the 
honesty  of  his  friends  of  the  moun- 
tains. Accordingly  Ibrahim  was 
despatched  with  a  request  for  the 
entertainment  of  the  party,  and 
soon  returned  with  an  invitation. 
At  the  entrance  of  the  largest 
tent  they  were  met  by  an  elderly 


128      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

man,  who,  notwithstanding  his 
dignity,  had  a  look  of  cunning, 
which  made  Joseph  fearful  of  trust- 
ing him.  He  seemed  to  be  at  the 
head  of  the  small  colony,  and  turned 
to  Joseph  as  the  leader  of  the  party. 
With  a  smile  he  bade  them  wel- 
come "  in  the  name  of  God  and  his 
Prophet,"  and  conducted  them  into 
the  tent.  As  they  seated  them- 
selves upon  the  mats,  he  clapped 
his  hands.  Three  ill-clad  attend- 
ants entered  in  obedience  to  the 
summons.  At  a  word  from  the 
chief,  they  placed  before  the  travel- 
lers vessels  containing  camel's  milk, 
which,  with  coarse  bread,  formed 
their  supper.  The  chief  sat  silently 
by  until  they  had  finished  their 
meal,  and  then  he  addressed  Joseph. 
"  Most  worthy  traveller,"  said  he, 


A  DESEET  JOUKNEY  129 

"'tis  some  time  since  we  have  had 
speech  with  one  who  dwells  in  the 
city,  and  we  should  greatly  value 
tidings  of  the  Sultan,  may  the 
Holy  Prophet  bless  and  protect  his 
descendant." 

"What  little  I  may  know  is  thine, 
gracious  host,"  answered  Joseph, 
wishing  to  make  up  for  the  lack 
of  confidence  which  he  feared  he 
had  shown.  "  When  we  rode  from 
Fostat,  'twas  said  that  our  illustri- 
ous Saladin  had  new  foes  in  the 
form  of  certain  Frankish  warriors, 
who  have  set  their  minds  upon 
gaining  what  they  are  pleased  to 
call  the  Holy  Land." 

"As  though  their  Frankish  arms 
could  stand  firm  before  the  prowess 
of  Mahomet's  followers ! "  exclaimed 
the  chief.     "  Doubtless  thou  dost  go 


130      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

with  thy  men  to  follow  the  stand- 
ard of  Saladin." 

"  It  is  even  so,"  answered  Joseph, 
glad  of  any  excuse.  "And  if  thou 
wilt  not  deem  it  a  poor  reward  for 
thine  hospitality,  I  shall  ask  thee 
to  show  us  where  to  rest,  for  we 
have  ridden  long  and  hard,  and 
have  little  time  for  sleep." 

"Pardon  the  curiosity  which 
made  me  forget  my  guests'  com- 
fort," said  the  man  with  humility 
for  which  Joseph  liked  him  none 
the  better.  "The  men  will  find 
couches  in  another  tent,  but  your 
honor  shall  rest  in  the  shelter  of 
mine." 

Joseph  felt  his  distrust  again 
rising,  but  he  tried  to  answer  cor- 
dially : 

"Thy  thoughtfulness  doth  claim 


A  DESERT  JOUKNEY  131 

my  gratitude,  and  if  thou  wilt  but 
show  me  to  my  place  of  rest,  I 
shall  relieve  my  worthy  host  of  my 
company." 

The  Arab  raised  a  coarse  brown 
curtain  at  the  other  side  of  the 
tent,  disclosing  a  small  recess  con- 
taining a  mattress  over  which 
a  rug  had  been  thrown.  Joseph 
entered  this  apartment,  and  the 
curtain  fell.  Believing  himself  to 
be  alone,  he  placed  the  package  of 
medicines  and  the  bag  containing 
the  money  he  had  received  from 
Maimon  beside  him.  Had  he  turned, 
he  would  have  seen  a  bright  black 
eye  peering  through  a  hole  in  the 
curtain.  As  it  was,  he  could  not 
shake  off  the  feeling  of  suspicion 
which  had  assailed  him  before. 

"  Had  I  not  feared  to  arouse  the 


132      UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

covetousness  of  yon  old  miscreant, 
I  should  have  had  Ibrahim  sleep 
by  me.  Still,  I  shall  keep  this  dag- 
ger by  my  hand,  for  if  ever  man 
had  the  eye  of  a  rogue,  then  is  my 
host  so  gifted,"  thought  he,  as  he 
resolved  to  sleep  with  one  eye  open. 
Made  restless  by  these  thoughts, 
he  slept  fitfully,  and  finally  fell  into 
a  doze,  only  to  be  awakened  by  a 
fumbling  at  the  mattress.  Sleepy 
as  he  was,  Joseph  was  still  conscious 
enough  to  make  no  movement. 
Slowly  opening  his  eyes,  he  saw  a 
long  brown  arm  thrust  through 
the  curtain  and  reaching  for  the 
precious  package  at  his  side.  As 
though  moving  in  his  sleep,  he 
managed  to  place  his  hand  upon 
the  blade  of  his  dagger.  Swiftly 
he  aimed  a  blow  at  the  hand  near 


m 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  133 

his  side.  The  large  handle  of  the 
weapon  descended  so  heavily  that 
it  might  easily  have  broken  the 
wrist.  With  a  sharp  cry  of  pain, 
the  thief  quickly  withdrew  his  arm, 
and  all  was  silent  again.  Joseph, 
now  alert,  sat  up  and  listened,  but 
heard  no  movement.  He  felt  for 
the  medicines  and  the  money,  and 
found  that  they  were  safe. 

"I  did  the  old  fellow  no  wrong 
when  I  doubted  his  honesty," 
thought  he.  "  A  right  shrewd  blow 
I  gave  him,  but  it  will  teach  him 
to  keep  his  hand  at  his  own  side 
henceforth.  Though  all  is  safe,  he 
hath  destroyed  the  rest  I  needed 
mightily.  I  shall  sleep  no  more, 
but  await  the  arising  of  the 
others." 

Just     before      dawn      Ibrahim 


134     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

brought  him  his  breakfast  of  dried 
dates  and  bread,  and  went  to  fill 
the  leather  bottles  at  the  well. 
This  done,  the  horses  were  brought 
to  the  tent,  and  their  leader  was 
summoned. 

Their  host,  his  right  wrist  bound 
up,  came  forward  to  Joseph,  who 
had  not  neglected  to  reward  him, 
though  not  sumptuously  enough 
to  excite  his  cupidity. 

"May  you  soon  grace  our  poor 
tent  again,"  said  this  worthy  with 
a  pretense  of  cordiality. 

"  It  will  be  my  pleasure  to  travel 
many  miles  to  reward  so  sweet  a 
night's  rest,"  responded  Joseph, 
giving  the  man  a  significant  look 
as  they  rode  off. 

The  sky  was  cloudless,  allowing 
full  play  to  the  fierceness  of  the 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  135 

sun's  rays,  which,  had  there  been 
no  other  cause,  would  have  made 
our  travellers  anxious  to  have  their 
journey  over  the  plain  behind 
them.  As  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  there  was  no  sign  of  life, 
and  the  glare  of  the  sun  upon  the 
sands  was  almost  blinding,  but  at 
noon  the  heat  was  so  intense  that 
Joseph  was  obliged  to  call  a  halt. 
A  sort  of  tent  was  improvised  by 
placing  the  spears  upright  in  the 
ground  and  using  their  cloaks  as 
an  awning. 

Here  they  took  their  midday 
meal  of  bread  and  dried  fruit, 
which  Ibrahim  had  brought,  and 
the  water  in  the  leather  cases 
served  as  liquid  refreshment.  The 
men  cared  for  the  horses,  while 
Ibrahim  kept  close  watch  upon  the 


136      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

hills,  fearing  an  unexpected  attack. 
A  very  short  rest  sufficed,  for  to 
linger  was  to  court  the  notice  of 
wandering  bandits,  and  they  re- 
sumed their  journey,  continuing  to 
ride  close  together,  with  one  always 
acting  as  sentinel. 

Toward  evening  Joseph,  casting 
his  eyes  toward  the  hills,  discerned 
what  seemed  to  be  a  party  of  horse- 
men issuing  from  them.  He  ob- 
served them  curiously  for  a  few 
moments,  never  thinking  that  dan- 
ger could  attend  an  appearance 
made  so  openly ;  but  when  he  called 
Ibrahim's  attention  to  the  approach- 
ing cavalcade,  the  guide  watched  it 
with  marked  interest. 

" By  the  beard  of  the  Prophet!" 
he  ejaculated,  "they  are  no  other 
than  the  same  hill-robbers  whom 


A  DESERT  JOURNEY  137 

we  have  been  trying  to  escape.  I 
can  tell  by  the  manner  of  their 
riding." 

Here  an  arrow  struck  with  a  rat- 
tle upon  one  of  the  men's  shields  as 
a  warning  to  conclude  the  council. 

"  Do  you,  Seyid,"  continued  Ibra- 
him quickly,  "ride  in  the  middle. 
Fall  around  the  master,  men,  and 
bear  the  brunt  of  the  attack.  See 
to  it  that  he  is  as  well  protected  as 
may  be,  for  so  did  my  lord  Moses 
command." 

"Luckily  we  are  well  armed," 
said  Joseph,  not  altogether  relish- 
ing this  arrangement,  elated  as  he 
was  at  the  prospect  of  adventure. 

"With  your  leave,  young  S'id,  I 
would  suggest  that  we  fight  not 
unless  it  must  be,  but  trust  rather 
to    our    horses'    heels,    for    these 


138      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

mountaineers  are  hardy  fighters, 
whom  even  the  Sultan's  soldiers 
find  it  nigh  impossible  to  defeat." 

"  But  the  horses  are  not  fresh. 
Shall  we  be  able  to  outrace  them, 
thinkestthou?" 

"At  the  first  sign  of  danger  they 
will  be  as  fresh  as  a  flower  with  the 
morning  dew  upon  it.  They  are 
from  the  Sultan's  stables,  and  their 
equal  is  not  to  be  found  even  in 
Araby.  Many  a  horse  have  my 
legs  bestrode,  but  never  before  such 
an  one  as  this." 

"While  Ibrahim  was  talking,  Jo- 
seph considered  his  advice,  and  as 
the  guide  ceased  to  speak,  came  to 
a  conclusion. 

"We  shall  do  as  thou  say  est, 
Ibrahim,  and  may  we  make  our 
escape  good." 


A  DESERT  JOUBNEY  139 

"  Ride  quickly  and  lightly  as  the 
wind,"  he  said  to  the  others,  at  the 
same  time  urging  his  own  horse, 
which  responded  as  though  per- 
fectly comprehending  the  danger. 

Swiftly  they  rode  through  the 
clouds  of  sand,  moving  as  lightly 
as  a  flying  bird  skims  the  surface 
of  the  water.  They  soon  out-dis- 
tanced their  pursuers,  whose  horses 
were  no  match  for  the  royal  steeds. 
On  they  rode,  having  no  time  to 
discuss  their  escape  or  even  the 
single  mark  of  the  encounter,  an 
arrow  that  had  clung  to  Ibrahim's 
shield.  There  was  but  slight  dan- 
ger of  another  attack;  still  they 
rested  as  little  as  possible,  until 
they  came  in  view  of  the  minarets 
of  Damascus.  Here  they  halted  at 
an  inn,  and,  while  the  men  looked 


140      UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

to  the  care  of  the  animals,  Joseph 
hastily  refreshed  himself,  and  then 
set  out  to  obtain  the  necessary  direc- 
tions for  the  rest  of  the  journey. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

AN  OLD  SCORE 

The  sun  was  shining  brightly  upon 
the  gilded  minarets  and  marble 
palaces  of  Damascus,  "the  earthly 
Paradise"  of  Mahomet,  when  Joseph 
passed  the  gates  which  shut  off  the 
squalid  Jewish  quarter.  Venders 
were  calling  out  their  wares,  and 
were  travelling  to  and  fro,  some 
seeking  custom  beyond  the  Mellah, 
others  returning  with  empty  packs. 
Our  youth  singled  out,  from  a  multi- 
plicity of  red  brick  walls,  the  one 
which  belonged  to  the  house  of  the 
Rabbi  David,  revered  as  a  teacher 
and  an  expounder  of  the  Talmud. 


142      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

The  Rabbi  was  an  old  man  and 
tall,  with  the  stoop  of  the  scholar 
and  the  beard  of  a  patriarch.  He 
was  at  his  books  when  Joseph  was 
shown  into  a  room  dimly  lighted 
by  a  latticed  window.  Arising  with 
gentle  dignity,  he  asked  his  visitor's 
business. 

"  May  it  please  you,"  said  Joseph, 
bowing,  "  to  pardon  this  unseemly 
interruption,  for  I  had  not  presumed 
so  far  but  that  I  bore  a  missive 
from  the  Rabbi  Moses  Ibn  Maimon." 

"Thou  comest  from  Maimon? 
Thou  wert  welcome  an  thou  didst 
but  bring  fresh  tidings  of  him,  who 
is,  indeed,  Israel's  banner,"  cor- 
dially answered  the  Rabbi  as  he 
took  the  letter.  After  reading  it, 
he  continued,  "The  information 
thou  dost  seek  I  can  give  thee,  since 


AN  OLD  SCOKE  143 

I  have  but  this  morn  had  speech 
with  Manasseh,  who  deals  in  arms. 
But  first  the  housewife  must 
prepare  thee  a  meal,  for  doubtless 
thou  hast  obtained  no  ritually 
prepared  meat  on  thy  journey." 

While  the  meal  was  being  made 
ready,  the  Rabbi  proceeded  to  give 
his  visitor  the  required  directions. 

"The  army,"  he  said,  "lieth  to 
the  west  of  Damascus  toward 
Beyrout.  With  a  good  animal  thou 
shouldst  be  able  to  reach  its  borders 
within  a  few  hours,  for  there  are 
good  roads,  over  which  is  much 
travel.  When  thou  comest  in  sight 
of  the  tents,  turn  boldly  from  the 
road,  and  ride  into  the  camp,  as 
though  thou  wert  going  to  join 
some  warrior.  Further  I  can  aid 
thee  but  little,  since  no  more  than 


144     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

scant  knowledge  of  camp-life  hath 
been  vouchsafed  me.  If  the  Lord, 
our  God,  Whose  name  be  exalted, 
hath  seen  fit  to  let  His  children  weep 
in  foreign  lands,  He  hath  also,  in  His 
infinite  mercy,  removed  us  far  from 
the  turmoil  of  the  battle-field.  There- 
fore, upon  thine  own  wit  thou  wilt 
have  to  rely  for  the  chance  of  reach- 
ing the  Sultan,  ere  thou  hast 
revealed  thine  errand.  But  here  is 
the  poor  refreshment  which  I  would 
offer  thee,"  he  concluded,  as  a 
servant  entered  with  a  steaming 
tray,  and  placed  it  on  a  low  stand 
next  to  Joseph,  who  sat  upon  a  seat 
made  of  cushions. 

It  was  still  early  in  the  afternoon 
when  Joseph  started  to  rejoin  his 
companions,  having  refused  the 
Rabbi's   invitation    to    spend    the 


AN  OLD  SCOKE  145 

night  under  his  roof,  since  he  felt 
that  it  was  necessary  to  make 
arrangements  for  pursuing  their 
journey. 

The  Rabbi  accompanied  him  to 
the  end  of  the  Quarter  and  even 
beyond  it,  Joseph  thanking  his  host 
for  his  kindness  and  receiving  the 
venerable  scholar's  wishes  for  his 
success  and  welfare. 

After  they  had  parted,  Joseph 
strolled  leisurely  along,  looking 
into  the  gardens,  a  number  of 
which  were  very  fine.  Many  of  the 
houses  were  as  splendid  as  the 
palaces  of  Fostat,  and  Joseph 
rightly  judged  that  he  was  in  the 
better  part  of  the  city.  Suddenly, 
as  he  stood  looking  at  a  pomegran- 
ate tree,  all  scarlet  with  its  blos- 
soms, he  felt  that  he  was  being 


146      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

watched.  Glancing  up  curiously  at 
one  of  the  latticed  windows,  he 
caught  sight  of  Hacam,  who,  how- 
ever, showed  no  sign  of  recognition. 
Joseph  was  amused,  and  smiled  as 
he  walked  on,  wondering  if  Hacam 
were  petty  enough  still  to  nurse 
his  anger.  But  he  had  not  gone 
far,  when  he  felt  a  touch  on  the 
shoulder.  He  turned  and  saw  two 
swarthy  soldiers. 

"Art  thou  Joseph  Ibn  Assan?" 
asked  one  of  the  men. 

"Yes,"  answered  the  astonished 
Joseph. 

"Then  thou  must  accompany  us 
to  appear  before  the  Vizier,"  an- 
nounced the  soldier. 

"Wherefore  should  I  appear  be- 
fore the  Vizier,"  Joseph  demanded, 
expecting  to  get  some  explanation. 


AN  OLD  SCORE  147 

"That  is  not  for  us  to  answer. 
Thou  shalt  find  out  in  good  time, 
and  may  the  reason  be  to  thy 
liking,"  the  man  replied,  grinning. 

Believing  that  there  was  some 
mistake,  Joseph  accompanied  the 
men  without  more  ado,  hoping  to 
have  the  matter  quickly  settled. 

The  passers-by  looked  at  the  trio 
with  curiosity,  but  made  no  attempt 
to  follow.  Nothing  in  the  prison- 
er's appearance  promised  any  sen- 
sational development,  and  none  of 
them  had  much  inclination  to  be 
drawn  into  contact  with  the  ju- 
diciary. 

They  came  to  a  stop  before  a 
great  house  of  stone.  The  man 
who  had  first  accosted  Joseph  still 
retained  his  hold  upon  the  prisoner's 
arm,  and  turned  to  the  other. 


148      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"Do  thou  go  within,"  he  said, 
"  and  see  if  he  is  wanted,  or  if  he  is 
to  be  taken  to  the  guard-house." 

Joseph  still  wondered  at  the 
occurrence,  and  stood  endeavoring 
to  come  to  some  conclusion  as  to  its 
cause.  He  felt  sure  that  it  could 
come  from  no  desire  to  interfere 
with  his  journey,  for  no  one  knew 
the  motive  of  it,  and  he  could  think 
of  no  act  which  would  make  him 
amenable  to  the  law  of  Damascus. 

The  soldier,  returning,  signified 
that  they  were  to  enter.  Accord- 
ingly, Joseph  was  led  through  the 
court-yard  to  the  inner  court,  which 
was  of  the  most  magnificent  kind. 
The  marble  pavement  was  inlaid 
with  geometric  designs  in  mosaics, 
and  the  overhanging  balconies,  also 
of  white  marble,  were  filled  with 


AN  OLD  SCORE  149 

blossoming  plants,  which  shed  their 
perfume  over  the  court  below. 
Around  the  fountain  was  an  oc- 
tagonal basin  of  white  marble  to 
receive  the  water  which  first 
sprayed  high  into  the  air,  and  then 
fell  into  a  succession  of  small  basins, 
thus  forming  a  kind  of  waterfall. 

At  the  farther  end  of  the  court 
was  an  estrade,  raised  by  some 
four  or  five  steps  and  extending 
the  entire  length  of  the  space.  It 
was  of  marble,  covered  with  heavy 
rugs,  and  in  the  middle  was  a  seat 
of  carved  wood,  cushioned  with 
brocade.  Stationed  in  a  line  across 
the  platform  were  about  twenty 
slaves,  with  brightly  colored  sashes 
and  scarfs  and  gleaming  weapons, 
a  most  barbarous  guard.  Upon  the 
pavement  sat    the   secretary,  sur- 


150     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

rounded  by  all  the  paraphernalia 
for  writing.  As  the  soldiers  with 
their  prisoner  took  their  position, 
the  door  leading  to  the  palace 
opened,  and  two  men  entered  the 
court.  The  foremost,  whom,  from 
his  stern  appearance  together  with 
his  green  turban  and  rich  dress, 
Joseph  rightly  took  to  be  the  Vizier, 
ascended  the  steps,  and  as  he  took 
his  seat,  those  in  the  court  bent  low. 
He  motioned  his  companion  to  a 
low  seat  of  cushions,  and  all  was 
silent  for  a  moment.  Joseph's 
glance  wandered  from  the  Vizier  to 
the  youth  who  sat  at  his  left,  and 
was  idly  toying  with  his  dagger. 
With  a  start  he  recognized  Hacam, 
who  met  his  look  nonchalantly. 
Instantly  Joseph  connected  his 
enemy's  presence  with  his  arrest. 


AN  OLD  SCORE  151 

The  soldiers,  performing  a  low 
salaam,  told  theVizier — who  seemed 
in  need  of  no  such  information — 
that  the  prisoner  had  been  arrested 
at  the  instance  of  the  Seyid  Hacam. 

Hearing  this  and  feeling  that 
Hacam  had  formed  some  delib- 
erate plan,  Joseph  grew  appre- 
hensive lest  he  should  be  pre- 
vented from  accomplishing  his 
mission. 

"Joseph  Ibn  Assan,"  began  the 
Vizier,  his  harsh  voice  echoing 
through  the  court,  "thou  art 
charged  with  repeating  Jewish 
prayers  and  performing  other  re- 
ligious duties  which  belong  to  the 
infidel  Jewish  faith." 

Then,  believing  that  the  judge 
wished  to  exact  the  tribute  de- 
manded   of    Jews    in    many    Ma- 


152      TJNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

hometan  cities,  Joseph  answered, 
after  bowing, 

"  "Tis  true,  O  Vizier,  that  I  pray 
according  to  the  liturgy  of  my 
people,  but,  being  a  traveller  pass- 
ing through  the  city,  I  had  not 
thought  of  the  tax." 

"It  is  to  answer  another  and 
greater  charge  that  thou  art 
here,"  said  the  Vizier,  his  counte- 
nance and  tone  becoming  more 
severe,  while  Hacam  made  no 
effort  to  conceal  the  triumphant 
smile  which  rose  at  Joseph's  look 
of  blank  astonishment.  As  his  gaze 
travelled  back  to  the  Vizier's  face, 
Joseph  beheld  an  expression  which 
filled  him  with  fearful  expectation. 

Waving  his  hand  toward  Hacam, 
whom  he  seemed  to  treat  as  a  social 
equal,  the  judge  said  : 


AN  OLD  SCOEE  153 

"Give  thy  testimony,  inasmuch 
as  the  prisoner  must  offer  his 
defense." 

Then  Hacam  arose,  and,  descend- 
ing from  the  dais  upon  which  he 
had  been  seated,  took  his  place  at  a 
little  distance  from  Joseph.  Bow- 
ing low  before  the  Yizier,  he  began : 

"  Know,  O  Judge,  this  youth  who 
is  now  before  you  was  known  to  me 
in  El  Fostat  as  a  Moslem.  This 
morning,  as  I  came  from  the 
mosque,  I  saw  him  enter  the  city, 
and  I  followed  him  in  order  to 
renew  our  acquaintance," — here, 
despite  his  apprehension,  Joseph 
could  not  suppress  an  ironical  smile, 
for  the  picture  of  Hacam's  welcom- 
ing him  appealed  to  his  sense  of 
humor — "but  hearing  him  ask  his 
way  to    the    Mellah,    I    began    to 


154     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

believe  that  there  were  grounds  for 
the  suspicions  which  I  had  for  some 
time  harbored.  These  were  con- 
firmed when  I  overheard  him  con- 
verse with  a  Jewish  Rabbi.  In  my 
horror  at  seeing  one  who  had  been 
given  the  liberty  of  a  true  believer 
return  to  his  own  perverted  faith 
at  the  first  opportunity,  I  immedi- 
ately sought  the  great  Vizier's  pres- 
ence, knowing  that  in  all  Arabia 
there  is  no  truer  follower  of  the 
Prophet,  nor  one  better  fitted 
to  punish  this  youth's  offense. 
Therefore,  your  Excellency,"  con- 
tinued Hacam,  slowly  and  dramatic- 
ally, "I  charge  the  prisoner  with 
being  a  renegade  from  our  Mahomet 
and  from  Allah,  the  God  of  the 
Prophet." 
Having  spoken,  Hacam  resumed 


AN  OLD  SCORE  155 

his  seat,  while  the  Vizier,  with  a 
sternness  calculated  to  strike  terror 
to  the  boldest  heart,  said  to  Joseph, 
"What  hast  thou  to  say  ? " 

The  sound  of  the  playing  water 
in  the  fountain  could  be  heard 
through  the  court,  and  the  sun- 
beams danced  brightly  upon  the 
polished  weapons  of  the  slaves, 
while  Joseph  made  a  great  effort  to 
collect  his  wits,  for  the  seriousness 
of  the  situation  was  now  borne  in 
upon  him.  Also  bowing  low  before 
his  judge,  he  made  answer : 

"My  lord,  Hacam  in  a  measure 
speaks  the  truth,  and  yet  not  all 
the  truth.  That  I  passed  for  a 
Moslem  in  El  Fostat  is  true,  but 
never  have  I  been  other  than  a 
Jew.  Though  I  wore  not  the  Jew- 
ish badge,    never  have   I    for    an 


156      TJKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

instant  wavered  in  my  loyalty  to 
my  God  and  the  faith  of  His  chosen 
people.  I  did  but  as  many  another 
has  done,  for  it  is  a  common  prac- 
tice of  those  unable  to  shield  them- 
selves against  the  consequences  of 
the  unreasoning  prejudice  of  the 
ignorant.  In  Egypt  it  is  known  to 
many  officials,  who  have  the  will 
but  not  the  power  to  protect  us. 
Comprehending  the  reason  of  the 
disguise,  they  overlook  the  fault. 
Therefore,  O  Vizier,  since  I  have 
never  given  a  thought  to  the  wor- 
ship of  any  God  but  the  Lord  of 
Abraham,  I  cannot  rightly  be  con- 
sidered an  apostate  from  the  Mos- 
lem faith. " 

"  If  thy  desertion  was  overlooked 
in  El  Fostat,"  said  the  Vizier,  "  here, 
in  the  cradle  of  the  Prophet,  thou 


AN  OLD  SCORE  157 

shalt  find  no  such  leniency.  Good 
proof  has  been  given  of  thy  crime. 
Thou  art  a  renegade  from  Islam, 
and  must  suffer  therefor." 

Joseph  felt  the  last  remnants  of 
hope  slipping  away.  The  Vizier's 
next  words  cut  into  his  comprehen- 
sion like  dagger  thrusts. 

"The  penalty  thou  must  know." 

"Death,"  answered  Joseph  in  a 
low  voice,  thinking  of  Maimon  and 
the  letter,  which  could  not  be  deliv- 
ered now.  Then  suddenly  Esther 
seemed  to  rise  before  him,  smiling 
encouragement.  The  harsh  tones 
of  the  Vizier  again  sounded  through 
the  court. 

UA  chance  thou  shalt  have,"  he 
said,  "  for  even  in  so  small  a  matter 
as  the  death  of  a  Jewish  deserter, 
there  shall  be  no  reflection  upon 


158     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

the  justice  of  Alfadhel.  Renounce 
thy  false  faith,  and  acknowledge 
Mahomet  Prophet  of  God.*" 

Then  Joseph  stood  erect,  and, 
raising  his  head  high,  as  his  heart 
swelled  with  pride,  he  answered  : 

"With  my  last  breath  I  shall 
praise  the  God  of  Israel,  who  is 
Eternal  and  Almighty.  The  Law 
which  hath  been  Israel's  support 
through  centuries  is  also  mine. 
The  God  of  Abraham  and  of  Moses, 
who  led  our  fathers  out  of  bondage, 
shall  be  my  protection  and  succor. 
Not  to  gain  ten  years  of  life  would 
I  for  an  instant  deny  the  faith  of 
His  chosen  people." 

"Twice  more  shall  opportunity 
be  given  thee  to  recant,  even 
according  to  the  word  of  the  Holy 
Prophet,"  said  the  Vizier,  looking 


AN  OLD  SCORE  159 

at  the  proud  figure  before  him. 
"  Joseph  Ibn  Assan,  thou  art  a 
goodly  youth  and  brave ;  where- 
fore shouldst  thou  give  up  life  for 
the  laws  which  were  rendered  null 
when  Allah  sent  forth  the  Holy 
Prophet?  Thou  art  not  asked  to 
deny  the  Lord,  Who  is  our  God  also, 
but  to  accept  Mahomet,  Whom  He 
ordained  greater  than  Moses.  Take 
this,  thy  double  chance,  and  em- 
brace Islam." 

"  Doubly  I  refuse  that  same 
chance ! "  Joseph's  voice  rang  out. 
"The  Law  which  the  Almighty 
handed  down  to  Moses  upon  Sinai, 
amid  thunder,  and  lightning,  and 
the  clashing  of  elements,  is  as  true 
to-day  as  it  was  at  the  zenith  of 
Israel's  glory.  It  is  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  and  shall  last  for  all  time.   If 


160      UJSjDEB  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

a  new  Prophet  hath  arisen,  we  have 
not  so  been  taught,  and  since  the 
days  when  the  Lord's  voice  was 
heard  in  His  Temple  the  Law  of 
Moses  hath  been  His  word.  The 
tribes  of  Israel  have  fought  and 
suffered  for  it,  and  I,  the  least  of 
them,  can  but  die  for  it." 

"  Thou  hast  had  the  opportunity 
which  I  foresaw  thou  wouldst  cast 
away  with  the  obstinate  fanaticism 
of  thy  people.  But,"  said  the  Vizier, 
"none  can  question  the  justice  of 
the  sentence  which  I  shall  pro- 
nounce upon  thee." 

As  the  judge  spoke,  an  idea  darted 
into  Joseph's  mind,  staggering  him 
by  its  stupendous  boldness.  "  I  can 
do  no  less  than  try  it,"  thought  he. 

"I  thank  you,  0  Vizier,"  con- 
tinued   he    aloud,    making    a  low 


AN  OLD  SCOEE  161 

obeisance  and  keeping  his  eyes  on 
Hacam's  face,  "  I  thank  you  for  the 
clemency  you  have  shown,  which  I 
doubt  not  will  be  properly  rewarded 
by  the  great  Sultan,  my  master." 

He  felt  that  his  shaft  had  struck, 
and  rejoiced  as  he  saw  his  enemy's 
face  fall. 

"The  Sultan,  thy  master!"  re- 
peated the  Vizier. 

"Even  so,  O  Vizier,"  answered 
Joseph  bowing,  "for  I  come  from 
the  royal  palace  as  an  emissary  of 
the  great  Maimon,  travelling  upon 
affairs  of  state." 

"  There  is  more  to  this  than  doth 
appear,"  said  Alfadhel  slowly. 
Then,  rising,  he  said  to  Joseph, 
"Follow  me,"  and  walked  across 
the  court.  He  raised  a  part  of  the 
drapery,   and  passed  through  the 


162      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

door  which  it  had  concealed,  Joseph 
following. 

They  entered  a  small  room,  which 
usually  served  the  official  as  a 
study.  Seating  himself  and  motion- 
ing his  companion  to  a  heap  of 
cushions,  the  Vizier  said,  "The 
meaning  of  thy  words  ? " 

"That  I  am  on  my  way  to  the 
Sultan,  on  whom  may  the  joys  of 
this  world  and  the  next  descend," 
— Alfadhel  bowed  his  head  rever- 
ently— "  to  bear  to  him  these 
medicines," — showing  Maimon's 
parcel  with  the  seal  of  the  palace — 
"the  immediate  use  of  which  the 
royal  physician,  Maimon,  deems 
necessary  if  the  dread  tertian  fever 
is  to  pass  from  our  royal  master, 
and  the  leader  of  hosts  is  to  be 
spared  his  loyal  subjects." 


AN  OLD  SCORE  163 

"And  I  had  nigh  prevented  your 
purpose.  Praise  be  to  the  God  of 
our  holy  Prophet,  who  hath  saved 
me  from  exciting  the  wrath  of  my 
master,"  said  the  Vizier,  almost 
trembling  in  his  excitement.  "  Thou 
art  free  to  resume  thy  journey. 
Through  yonder  door  thou  wilt  find 
a  way  leading  to  the  street,  but  get 
thee  to  horse  and  out  of  the  town  as 
quickly  as  possible.  Should  questions 
arise,  bear  in  mind  that  I  detained 
thee  not  a  moment  after  I  had  be- 
come assured  of  thine  identity." 

Joseph  was  not  backward  in 
availing  himself  of  this  permission, 
and,  having  thanked  the  Vizier, 
rapidly  made  his  way  to  the  street, 
where  he  paused  in  the  warm  sun- 
shine to  breathe  a  prayer  of 
thankfulness. 


164     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

He  never  saw  his  enemy  again, 
nor  can  it  be  said  that  he  bewailed 
the  fate  which  prevented  their 
meeting. 

He  arrived  at  the  inn  for  the  even- 
ing meal,  and,  after  a  short  rest, 
his  party  made  ready  to  start, 
intending  to  ride  through  the  night. 
The  moonlight  wras  bright,  and 
Joseph,  notwithstanding  his  weari- 
ness, determined  to  reach  the 
Saracen  camp  next  day. 

By  night-fall  they  were  upon  the 
road  to  Beyrout,  passing  soldiers 
and  merchants  who  were  journey- 
ing to  and  from  the  camp.  Joseph's 
heart  grew  lighter  as  he  came 
nearer  to  the  discharge  of  his 
master's  behests,  and  the  men  re- 
joiced in  their  proximity  to  the 
scene  of  warlike  activity.    Stories 


AN  OLD  SCOEE  165 

alternated  with  snatches  of  gay 
song,  levity  unchecked  by  Joseph, 
who  was  too  much  occupied  with 
his  thoughts  to  notice  the  boisterous 
gaiety  of  his  followers. 

The  sun  was  well  above  the 
horizon  when  the  ascent  of  a  hilly 
road  brought  them  in  view  of  the 
tents  and  waving  banners  of  the 
army. 

On  and  into  the  camp  they 
galloped,  the  livery  of  the  men 
announcing  that  they  were  of  the 
Sultan's  household. 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  MOSLEM  CAMP 

The  camp  was  all  bustle  and  prep- 
aration, for  the  Christian  army  was 
in  battle  array  according  to  last 
intelligence,  and  the  Saracens  were 
expecting  the  attack.  Armor  was 
being  polished,  and  weapons  sharp- 
ened. The  temper  of  swords  was 
being  tried,  and  the  aiming  of  ar- 
rows practiced.  Richly  caparisoned 
horses  carrying  armed  riders  were 
being  drilled  to  bear  the  force  of  an 
attacking  lance. 

Saladin's  army  was  composed  of 
the  many  tribes  whom  he  had  com- 
bined into  one    people   under  his 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  167 

sway.  There  were  the  fierce  tribes 
of  the  deserts,  wild  and  savage, 
whose  vividly  colored  trappings  con- 
trasted strangely  with  the  dignified, 
white-clad  Bedouin  cavalry,  men 
of  tried  courage  and  well-earned 
fame.  But  the  flower  of  the  army, 
Saladin's  chief  support,  were  the 
regiments  of  Egyptian  infantry, 
disciplined  and  trained  in  the  Sul- 
tan's home  wars. 

Joseph  made  his  way  to  the 
Egyptian  tents,  hoping  there  to 
obtain  a  guide  to  the  royal  pavil- 
ion. He  and  his  attendants  had 
dismounted,  and  were  leading  their 
horses  in  order  not  to  attract  too 
much  attention.  Carefully  they 
threaded  their  way  through  crowds 
of  horses,  soldiers,  and  burden-car- 
rying  slaves,  until   familiar   pen- 


168     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

nants  announced  the  tents  of  the 
Egyptian  leaders.  As  they  wan- 
dered into  the  heart  of  the  group, 
they  were  met  by  an  elderly  man, 
whom  Joseph,  judging  by  his  green 
turban,  took  to  be  a  dignitary  of 
some  sort. 

Greeting  him  respectfully,  our 
youth  began: 

"May  it  please  you,  worthy  sir, 
I  would  request  the  favor  of  your 
direction  to  the  Sultan's  tents,  for  I 
am  come  from  Fostat  bearing  med- 
icines from  the  royal  physician." 

"Thou  couldst  have  requested  no 
favor  which  I  would  more  readily 
grant  thee,"  answered  the  Sheykh, 
"  for  the  health  of  the  Prince  of  the 
Faithful  is  now  of  more  than  usual 
importance,  with  this  foreign  horde 
and  their  blows  of  iron.    But  the 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  1G9 

Prophet  protects  his  own!  Thy 
men  and  horses  leave  here,  for 
thou  shalt  share  the  hospitality  of 
the  Egyptians.  This  slave,"  he  con- 
tinued, summoning  one,  "  shall  be 
thy  guide." 

Joseph  passed  on,  much  interested 
in  the  warlike  preparations  and  ex- 
cited by  the  clanging  of  armor  and 
weapons  and  the  hurrying  of  slaves, 
who,  regardless  of  the  burning  heat, 
were  doing  the  work  of  pack-mules. 

"They  say  that  the  slaves  are  the 
happiest  of  all  people,"  thought  Jo- 
seph, "but  methinks  I  had  rather 
my  own  troublous  lot  than  that  of 
these  soulless  men.  But  who  may 
be  these,  for  light  hair,  blue  eyes, 
and  white  skin  ne'er  belonged  to 
Arabian  slave." 

Still  looking  at  the  men  who  had 


170     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

excited  his  curiosity,  he  said  to  the 
slave : 

"  Perchance  yonder  laborers  have 
taken  this  travail  upon  themselves 
by  the  behest  of  some  enthusiastic 
Imam,  for  'twere  scarce  possible 
that  those  white  bodies  had  e'er 
before  been  scorched  by  the  sun." 

"The  Seyid  errs,"  answered  the 
slave.  "These  same  men  are  slaves, 
even  like  the  blackest  Nubian  in  the 
camp.  They  are  Frankish  warriors 
captured  in  the  onslaught  made 
by  the  enemy,  and  they  have  pur- 
chased their  lives  by  accepting  their 
condition.  They  thrive  but  ill  under 
the  work,  and  the  fever  will  save 
them  from  the  executioner's  hand, 
which  will  descend  when  the  fight- 
ing beginneth." 

Joseph  watched  the  unfortunates, 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  171 

and  his  pity  was  especially  engaged 
by  one  poor  fellow  who  was  bend- 
ing exhausted  beneath  the  weight 
of  his  burden  and  the  sharpness  of 
the  task-master's  lash.  Our  youth's 
eyes  wandered  from  the  marks  of 
the  cruel  blows  to  the  captive's  face. 
With  a  start  that  sent  the  hot  blood 
surging  to  his  head  he  recognized 
the  murderer  of  his  father,  the 
Count  de  Fournoire.  All  the  pity 
was  gone  out  of  his  heart  now,  and 
he  almost  rejoiced  at  the  thought 
of  his  enemy's  sufferings.  With 
all  the  plans  of  revenge  he  had 
ever  formed  rushing  through  his 
mind  Joseph  continued  his  way. 
The  neighing  and  pawing  of  fiery 
steeds,  the  shouts  of  warriors,  and 
the  clamor  of  encountering  weap- 
ons were  unheeded  by  him  as  he 


172      TODEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

mechanically  followed  his  guide, 
nor  was  he  recalled  to  his  present 
purpose  until  the  slave  came  to  a 
stop,  and  he  beheld  the  royal  pen- 
nants floating  from  the  Sultan's 
pavilion. 

Here  he  was  accosted  by  the  cap- 
tain of  the  guard  of  black  Nubians, 
who  were  brightly  clothed  and  heav- 
ily armed. 

Joseph,  packet  in  hand  and  with 
an  air  of  authority,  requested  to 
be  conducted  to  an  officer  of  the 
household.  He  was  led  through  the 
entrance  of  the  great  tent  into  a 
kind  of  ante-chamber,  which  was 
separated  from  the  remainder  by 
heavy  draperies,  and  there  they 
were  met  by  a  man  whose  turban 
and  rich  dress  betokened  him  an 
Emir  of  rank. 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  173 

To  him  Joseph  stated  that  he 
sought  the  presence  of  the  Sultan, 
having  travelled  many  miles  to  de- 
liver certain  medicines  (he  displayed 
the  package)  which  Maimon  deemed 
imperative  for  the  continuance  of 
the  Sultan's  health. 

"To  me  thou  may  est  deliver  the 
packet,"  said  the  Emir,  "  and  it  will 
be  as  safe  as  though  thou  hadst 
placed  it  in  the  hand  of  the  Sultan 
himself.  He  is  giving  audience  to 
certain  of  his  leaders,  and  I  may 
not  admit  even  those  of  the  royal 
household,  though,  were  he  less 
occupied,  I  might  presume  to  allow 
entrance  to  the  emissary  of  the 
illustrious  Maimon." 

"  To  none  may  I  deliver  it  but  to 
the  Sultan  himself,  noble  Emir.  If 
perchance  the  welfare  of  our  noble 


174     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Sultan  is  of  import  to  you,  seek  our 
lord's  presence,  and  say  that  there 
is  a  messenger  without  who  comes 
from  Maimon,  and  who  refuses  to 
discharge  his  errand,  save  in  the 
presence  of  his  Majesty.  You  shall 
not  regret  it,  I  warrant  you." 

Joseph's  earnestness  carried  the 
day,  and  the  officer  arose,  and 
passed  into  the  interior  of  the  tent. 

In  a  few  minutes  he  returned. 

"  Thy  persistence  has  won  thee  an 
entrance,"  he  said,  "  but  thou  canst 
scarce  expect  to  have  words  with 
the  Prince  of  the  Faithful,  for  he  is 
much  occupied.    Follow  me." 

Eaising  the  curtains,  he  conducted 
Joseph  into  the  audience-chamber, 
which  was  really  the  Sultan's  apart- 
ment. It  was  fitted  up  lavishly,  as 
the  richness  of  Oriental  fabrics  and 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  175 

the  prodigality  of  Eastern  fashion 
admitted.  The  sides  of  the  tent 
were  hung  with  bright  tapestries, 
harmonizing  with  the  rugs,  into  the 
soft  pile  of  which  Joseph's  foot 
sank  as  if  treading  upon  a  down 
pillow.  The  divans  disposed  about 
the  walls  of  the  tent  were  covered 
with  cushions  made  of  delicate 
silks,  embroidered  with  gold.  A 
low  table  of  ivory  and  gold,  bearing 
a  gold  goblet  filled  with  sherbet, 
stood  before  one  of  these  couches. 
Upon  it  reclined  the  Sultan,  whose 
dress,  less  ostentatious  than  that  of 
his  officer,  was  of  white  silk.  His 
sole  ornaments  were  the  jewelled 
dagger  in  his  sash  and  the  magnifi- 
cent emerald  sparkling  in  the  front 
of  his  white  turban.  But  this  lack 
of   personal    adornment  detracted 


176      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

nothing  from  the  Sultan's  look  of 
power  and  kingly  dignity.  He  was 
a  handsome  man,  and  possessed  all 
the  royal  presence  one  pictures  as 
belonging  to  the  greatest  Arab 
monarch,  whose  intellect,  courage, 
and  generosity  have  been  sung  by 
generations  of  Arab  historians. 

With  him  were  a  number  of  Sar- 
acen nobles,  one  of  whom  was 
speaking  as  Joseph  entered.  He 
finished  soon,  however,  and,  having 
bowed,  retired  to  a  little  distance  to 
receive  a  cup  of  sherbet  from  an 
attendant  slave.  The  Emir  here- 
upon advanced,  and,  making  a  low 
obeisance,  said : 

"My  lord,  the  messenger  of  whom 
I  spoke  is  here." 

"I  am  occupied  with  weighty 
matters.      Do    thou     receive    the 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  177 

packet,  and  examine  its  contents,'' 
answered  the  Sultan,  as  he  mo- 
tioned to  one  of  the  nobles,  who 
now  stepped  forward. 

"  0  King  of  the  age,"  he  said,  "  I 
am  now  ready  to  render  unto  you  a 
report  of  my  regiments  together 
with  their  equipments.''  Joseph, 
dismayed  by  this  unlooked-for  oc- 
currence, remained  apparently  un- 
observed among  the  slaves  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  apartment.  There 
he  stood,  helpless,  as  the  Emir 
ruthlessly  broke  the  precious  seals. 
Seemingly  forgetful  of  the  fact  that 
a  stranger  was  present  during  the 
Sultan's  council,  the  officer  devoted 
his  attention  to  the  contents  of  Mai- 
mon's  packet.  Joseph  continued 
in  his  position,  watching  the  Sultan 
and  trying  to  form  some  plan  to 


178      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

reach  the  royal  ear,  which,  in  truth, 
seemed  impossible,  so  numerous 
were  his  attendants.  The  noble 
who  was  speaking  had  gone  into 
some  detail  of  equipment,  which  he 
reported  with  unnecessary  mathe- 
matical precision.  The  Sultan,  who 
had  become  a  little  bored  by  his 
prosiness,  permitted  his  eyes  to 
wander  from  his  follower  to  the 
lower  part  of  the  tent  and  back 
again.  This  lack  of  attention  made 
Joseph's  heart  give  a  little  leap  of 
exultation,  for  he  then  conceived 
an  idea  which  he  immediately 
attempted  to  carry  out. 

As  the  slaves  stirred  about  to 
minister  to  the  comfort  of  the 
nobles,  Joseph  moved  as  far  for- 
ward as  he  could,  but  he  was  care- 
ful to  remain  in  a  line  with  the 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  179 

Sultan's  gaze.  Slowly  and  cau- 
tiously he  removed  his  two  daggers, 
and  crossed  them  upon  the  floor, 
thanking  fate  which  had  blessed 
the  noble  Osman  with  great  loqua- 
city. He  remained  standing,  mo- 
tionless as  a  statue,  his  eyes  upon 
Saladin's  countenance,  and  every 
nerve  alive  with  expectation.  The 
Sultan's  glance  again  travelled  to 
the  lower  end  of  the  room,  and 
fixed  itself  unconsciously  upon  the 
crossed  daggers,  and  then,  as  if 
suddenly  comprehending,  he  raised 
his  eyes  to  Joseph's  face,  which  im- 
mediately flushed.  Without  mov- 
ing or  changing  his  expression  the 
Sultan  closed  his  right  hand  with 
the  middle  finger  extended,  and 
carelessly  placed  it  upon  his  right 
cheek,   and,   as  the  Vizier  Osman 


180     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

finished  speaking,  casually  glanced 
at  Joseph.  He  responded  by  pla- 
cing his  left  hand  in  the  same  posi- 
tion upon  his  left  cheek. 

The  Sultan's  eyes  brightened. 

"Leave  us  for  the  present,"  he 
commanded  curtly,  and  nobles  and 
attendants,  bowing  low,  passed  out. 

"  How  earnest  thou  by  the  sign  ?" 
he  demanded  peremptorily  when 
they  were  alone. 

"May  it  please  my  lord,  it  was 
received  from  the  royal  physician 
Maimon,  who  bade  me  deliver  to 
the  great  king,  in  private,  this  letter, 
which  contains  news  of  interest  to 
the  Star  of  the  East,"  answered 
Joseph. 

The  Sultan  received  his  physi- 
cian's letter,  his  lifted  eyebrows 
manifesting  wonder,  which  in  no 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  181 

way  seemed  to  dispel  his  languid 
mood.  But  scarcely  had  he  read 
the  communication  when  the 
change  came. 

Thoroughly  roused,  he  sprang 
from  the  couch,  and  paced  to  and 
fro,  apparently  oblivious  of  Joseph's 
presence. 

"  The  foul  traitor ! "  he  exclaimed. 
"As  surely  as  I  believe  that 
Mahomet  is  Allah's  Prophet  I  shall 
place  his  head  at  the  gates  of  his 
city,  as  a  warning  to  other  rebels, 
should  they  draw  upon  themselves 
the  wrath  of  Saladin.  To  protect 
his  worthless  life  this  traitorous 
dog  would  barter  one  of  the  strong- 
holds of  the  Prophet's  followers, 
and  I  shall  avenge  them,  with  the 
help  of  Allah,  whose  children  he 
attempts  to  betray.    By  the  beard 


182      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

of  the  blessed  Prophet,  this  Odo 
shall  have  strong  need  of  his  horse- 
men. How  dare  he  meditate  so 
open  a  treachery  against  his  Em- 
peror, the  vile  traitor ! " 

He  continued  his  pacing  for  some 
minutes,  until  his  excitement  had 
somewhat  abated.  Throwing  him- 
self upon  the  couch,  he  saw  Joseph, 
who  had  remained  motionless.  He 
was  thinking  less  of  the  royal  rage 
than  of  the  Count  de  Fournoire. 

"Maimon  hath  done  well  to  in- 
form us  of  this  treachery,  and  shall 
not  rue  his  loyalty.  As  for  thee, 
trusty  youth,  thy  master  hath 
chosen  his  messenger  well,  for  the 
dust  of  the  road  attesteth  how 
earnestly  thou  hast  ridden  to  do  his 
bidding,"  said  Saladin,  smiling  at 
Joseph's     travel-stained      clothes. 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  183 

"  Nay,  blush  not.  Tis  but  a  proof 
of  thy  faithfulness  to  thy  master, 
who  shall  hear  of  it.  To  us  thou 
hast  rendered  service  which  must 
be  rewarded,  for,  please  Heaven, 
before  another  sundown  this  Odo 
shall  make  his  peace  in  another 
world.  Gold  we  may  not  give 
thee,  for  our  treasury  must  be  ex- 
pended in  defense.  But  for  thy 
service  the  ransom  of  some  Chris- 
tian prisoner  shall  be  bestowed 
upon  thee." 

"May  it  please  you,  O  King," 
began  Joseph,  his  brain  afire  and 
the  warm  blood  all  tingling,  "there 
is  a  Frankish  slave  in  camp  whom 
I  crave  from  your  Majesty." 

"As  thou  wishest.  It  will  be  as 
merciful  treatment  as  the  Franks 
have  given  those  of  our  followers 


184     UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

who  have  fallen  into  their  hands/' 
answered  the  Sultan,  clapping  his 
hands.  At  the  summons  the  Emir 
re-entered,  respectfully  saluting  his 
master. 

"  Let  this  youth  wait  without  for 
a  letter  to  Maimon,  our  prince  of 
healers,"  commanded  Saladin.  "  See 
also  that  he  chooseth  a  slave  from 
the  Frankish  prisoners." 

Joseph  waited  in  the  ante- 
chamber, the  Emir  having  ordered 
the  slaves  to  off er  him  refreshment. 
Here  he  rested  until  the  noble 
returned  with  the  royal  epistle,  and 
together  with  a  few  attendants 
they  took  their  way  to  the  part  of 
the  camp  in  which  Joseph  had  seen 
the  Count. 

Suddenly  they  came  upon  him, 
staggering    with    exhaustion    and 





1 


, 


*^pn 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  185 

covered  with  perspiration,  but  urged 
on  by  the  sting  of  the  lash. 

"  'Tis  he,"  said  Joseph. 

"  Release  yon  slave,"  ordered  the 
Emir.  "He  hath  been  bestowed 
by  the  Sultan  upon  this  youth. 
Give  him  proper  clothing,  and  do 
thou,"  he  continued  to  one  of  his 
followers,  "  see  that  he  is  delivered 
as  his  master  commandeth." 

"To  the  tents  of  the  Sheykh 
Mahomet,"  said  Joseph. 

u  It  shall  be  done,"  answered  the 
Emir.  "  To  thee,  good  youth,  I  wish 
a  safe  and  swift  return  journey, 
and  do  thou  tell  the  noble  Maimon 
from  his  friend,  the  Emir  Abdel- 
samad,  that  the  Sultan  doth  seem 
to  view  him  with  new  favor,  and 
hath  already  spoken  thrice  of  him 
as  the  noblest  of  healers."    With 


186      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

this  the  Emir  left  Joseph,  who 
turned  to  the  man  in  charge  of  the 
slaves. 

"See  that  the  slave  is  brought  to 
the  Egyptian  tents  before  sun- 
down," he  said,  "for  I  must  prepare 
to  depart." 

"It  shall  be  as  the  Seyid  com- 
mands," answered  the  man,  reliev- 
ing the  Count,  who  looked  gratefully 
at  his  deliverer. 

Joseph,  almost  too  excited  to 
think,  returned  to  the  tents  of  the 
Sheykh,  and  threw  himself  upon  a 
couch,  seeking  much-needed  rest. 
His  thoughts  continually  recurred 
to  the  fate  which  had  thrown  his 
enemy  into  his  power,  and,  between 
dreaming  exultingly  of  his  revenge 
and  the  fitful  sleep  which  ex- 
hausted nature  demanded,  he  spent 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  187 

the  time  until  the  Count's  delivery 
into  his  hands. 

He  was  aroused  by  the  entrance 
of  an  attendant  who  announced  the 
arrival  of  a  Frankish  slave. 

"  Lead  him  hither,"  said  Joseph, 
hardly  able  to  subdue  his  triumph- 
ant excitement. 

But  the  Count,  believing  that  his 
liberty  would  be  given  in  return  for 
the  usual  ransom,  spoke  to  Joseph. 

"  Worthy  Moslem,"  began  he — 

"Save  thy  titles  for  those  who 
care  for  them,"  interrupted  Joseph. 
"From  me  thou  may  est  expect 
little  consideration." 

"I  do  but  wish  to  know  what 
ransom  is  demanded,  that  I  may 
inform  my  friends  and  followers, 
who  will  make  what  endeavor  is 
possible  to  human  power.    I  pray 


188      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

thee,  Sir  Moslem,  in  very  mercy 
make  it  not  great,  for  a  slight  drain 
must  now  beggar  my  children. " 

"Thou  mayest  expect  the  same 
mercy  which  thou  didst  show  the 
Jew  who  was  done  to  death  by  thy 
torture,"  replied  Joseph,  slowly  and 
fiercely.  He  watched  the  Count 
pale  beneath  his  sun-burnt  skin  and 
brown  beard. 

"Was  this  same  Jew  aught  to 
thee?"  faltered  de  Fournoire. 

"  He  was  my  father ! " 

"I  understand  thee,"  said  the 
Count  with  dry  lips.  "  I  pray  thee, 
take  all  I  have,  but  deprive  not  my 
children  of  their  father's  protection. 
My  son  is  of  thy  growth.  Who 
shall  train  him  in  chivalry  and 
knightly  bearing  if  I  am  no  more  ? " 

"Full    knightly    art   thou,"    re- 


THE  MOSLEM  CAMP  189 

sponded  Joseph  grimly,  "  who  didst 
murder  a  defenseless  man,  be- 
cause he  was  unable  to  sate  thy 
avarice.  'Twere  more  a  gain  to  thy 
son's  honor  were  he  spared  thy 
influence,  which  might  beget 
another  of  thy  kind  to  visit  hatred 
upon  the  defenseless  Jew.  There- 
fore," he  continued  sternly,  "  prate 
to  me  no  more  of  mercy,  for  thou 
hast  found  a  Jew  who  bears  no 
injury  with  humility,  least  of  all 
the  murder  of  his  father.  Thy  fate 
awaits  thee  in  Fostat,  whither  I 
shall  soon  return." 


CHAPTEE  X 

THE  JEW'S  KEVENGE 

A  week  later  Joseph  with  his 
party  was  again  at  the  East  Gate 
of  the  city  of  Fostat.  But  how 
different  the  circumstances!  The 
revenge  he  had  dreamt  of,  and  for 
which  he  had  planned  during  many 
a  miserable  day,  was  now  to  be 
realized.  All  through  the  dreary 
return  across  the  desert  he  had 
hardly  felt  fatigue — he  had  been 
barely  conscious  of  anything  but 
the  new  phase  his  life  had  taken  on. 
At  intervals,  when  the  mind  was 
worn  out  with  dwelling  upon  the 
wretched  Count  de  Fournoire  and 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  191 

his  fate,  a  dream  would  come  to 
Joseph  of  a  more  contented  exist- 
ence in  Fostat,  with  his  work  and 
his  books,  his  content  heightened 
by  the  friendship  of  Raphael.  And 
with  a  quickening  of  the  pulse  he 
saw  Esther's  sunny  smile  dance  like 
a  golden  ray  across  it  all. 

Such  were  his  feelings  when  he 
halted  at  the  city  gates.  He  dis- 
missed his  followers,  retaining 
only  Ibrahim,  to  whom  he  now 
spoke. 

"  The  others  will  be  rewarded  at 
the  palace,  but  thou  must  ac- 
company me,  Ibrahim,  for  there  is 
still  a  task  which  I  would  demand 
of  thee.  The  slave  must  be  disposed 
of.  Seek,  therefore,  one  of  the 
slave-dealers,  and  say  that  Joseph 
Ibn    Assan    will    sell     cheaply    a 


192      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

strong  man-slave  to  any  who  jour- 
neys down  the  Nile  into  the 
unknown  desert  country.  When 
thou  hast  found  such  a  man,  and 
let  him  not  be  one  who  is  sparing  of 
the  scourge,  conduct  him  to  me, 
and,  should  we  conclude  our  barter, 
the  purchase  money  is  thine." 

Ibrahim,  wondering  at  the 
change  in  his  young  leader,  saluted 
and  departed  to  fulfil  his  orders. 

Joseph  turned  to  the  Frank,  upon 
whose  countenance  anguish  and 
pride  were  battling  for  supremacy. 
His  horse  was  fastened  to  Joseph's, 
and  he  was,  of  course,  without 
arms — neither  escape  nor  resist- 
ance was  possible. 

"I  pray  thee,  another  word,  O 
Jew,"  said  the  Count  bitterly, 
"  though  little  I  thought,  when  we 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  193 

rode  forth  to  the  rescue  of  the  Holy- 
Sepulchre,  that  I,  Reginald  de 
Fournoire,  of  pure  lineage  and  un- 
sullied fame,  should  beg  an 
honorable  death  from  a  Jew.  I 
pray  thee,  O  youth,  as  I  have  done 
before,  take  thy  dagger,  and  with 
one  thrust  end  my  life,  but  con- 
demn me  not  to  ignominy  lower 
than  any  heaped  upon  Frankish 
beast." 

"  Thou  didst  show  my  father  no 
such  mercy,"  answered  Joseph, 
"  but  didst  lengthen  the  torture  by 
slow  fire  and  iron  bars.  Thou  shalt 
have  as  good  cause  to  regret  each 
moment's  suffering  thou  didst 
put  upon  his  defenseless  gray 
hairs,  as  though  the  gold  he  could 
not  give  thee  were  poured  molten 
down  thy  throat." 


194      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"The  word  of  a  knight,  we  had  no 
such  feelings  as  thou  dost  ascribe 
to  us.  Thy  father's  death  was  en- 
compassed more  through  drunken 
folly  than  hatred  of  thy  people.  But 
I  ask  thee  not  to  bestow  freedom. 
If  thou  wilt  not  deal  the  blow,  give 
me  the  weapon,  and  before  thine 
eyes  shall  this  life  be  ended.  Doom 
me  not  to  existence  and  death  more 
wretched  and  dishonored  than  was 
e'er  visited  on  the  meanest  Jew. 
That  I,"  he  exclaimed,  beating  his 
shackled  hands  against  his  breast, 
"whose  arm  hath  been  raised  in 
defense  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre, 
should  sue  for  unstained  honor 
from  the  son  of  a  Jew-usurer ! " 

"Silence,  thou  villain ! "  exclaimed 
Joseph.  "The  Sepulchre  of  which 
thou  dost  make  such  boast  is  the 


THE  JEW'S  KEVENGE  195 

tomb  of  a  Jew.  Thy  honor  was 
stained  beyond  cleansing  on  the  day 
when  thou  and  thy  roistering 
companions  covered  my  father's 
body  with  oil,  and  for  each  finger's 
breadth  so  covered  thou  shalt  feel 
the  sting  of  the  task-master;  for 
the  fire  over  which  he  was  held 
thou  shalt  feel  the  scorch  of  the 
sun's  rays,  God's  own  fire.  But  no 
death  shall  come  to  release  thee. 
Thou,  who  wert  used  to  the  luxury 
of  courts,  shalt  toil  on  parched, 
weary,  and  sore,  with  neither  soul 
nor  will,  unto  the  end." 

With  that  they  rode  on  in  silence, 
until  they  came  to  the  by-way 
which  led  to  Dame  Rebecca's  house. 
Here  they  were  obliged  to  dismount 
and  walk  with  Joseph  in  the  lead. 
Escape  was  out  of   the    question. 


196      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

The  Count,  indeed,  would  have 
welcomed  death  at  the  hands  of  a 
pursuing  mob.  But  Joseph  was 
too  cautious  to  allow  him  such  an 
opportunity,  and  after  choosing  one 
of  the  loitering  boys  to  mind  the 
horses,  he  entered  the  court-yard 
with  his  slave.  There  they  were 
received  by  Dame  Rebecca,  who  had 
been  called  forth  by  the  unwonted 
clatter  of  horses'  feet. 

"Now  the  Lord  be  praised  that 
thou  art  safely  returned,"  said  she, 
when  she  caught  sight  of  Joseph. 
"Raphael  hath  done  naught  but 
prophesy  thee  untimely  misfortune, 
and  no  words  of  mine  could  com- 
fort him." 

Joseph  laughed. 

"  Well  I  know,  good  Dame,  that 
both  thou  and  he  did  while  away 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  197 

many  an  hour  in  picturing  adven- 
tures and  in  wondering  how  near 
or  how  far  from  Fostat  Joseph 
might  be.  But  of  that  and  what 
did  befall  me  we  shall  speak  anon. 
I  would  bestow  the  slave  in  safety. 
Mayhap  'twere  wiser  that  I  take 
him  to  the  guard-house." 

Dame  Rebecca  pondered  for  a 
minute. 

"  There  is  the  cellar  beneath  the 
house,"  said  she,  "  which  was  used, 
before  Saladin's  time,  as  a  syna- 
gogue. It  was  built  to  guard 
against  sudden  attack,  and  hath 
but  one  entrance,  and  that  a  secret 
one.  There  thou  canst  safely  place 
him,  for  none  can  guess  his  hiding- 
place,  and  without  aid  there  could 
be  no  escape." 

"Then  we  will  have  him  there 


198      UJSTDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

until  he  is  sold.  Do  thou  lead  the 
way,  Dame,  and  I  shall  see  him 
safely  mewed." 

The  cellar  was  dark,  and  there 
was  little  remaining  to  tell  of  for- 
mer worship.  After  carefully  ex- 
amining each  corner,  holding  his 
candle  high,  Joseph  was  assured 
that  there  was  nothing  by  which 
the  Count  might  take  his  life,  and 
thus  cheat  vengeance. 

The  slave  secured,  Joseph  and 
Rebecca  returned  to  daylight. 

"Thou  art  sore  tired,  Joseph," 
said  she.  "Do  thou  go  above  to 
rest,  and  I  shall  send  thee  food 
when  Raphael  cometh." 

Joseph  went  to  his  room,  and 
threw  himself  upon  the  couch, 
thankful  that  it  was  too  late  to  see 
Maimon.     Here  he  rested  until  a 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  199 

sound  on  the  stairs  warned  him  of 
Raphael's  approach.  Closing  his 
eyes,  he  was  apparently  deeply 
wrapped  in  slumber,  when  his 
friend  cautiously  peeped  in.  But 
Raphael  saw  the  moving  lids  of  the 
waking  person  and  cried  out,  "Open 
thine  eyes,  thou  great  lounger  who 
would  cheat  me  out  of  greeting  thee 
this  long  while.  I  scarce  thought 
to  set  eyes  upon  thee  again,"  he 
added,  as  Joseph  jumped  up,  and 
they  embraced. 

"Has  thy  journey  been  without 
event  ?  What  didst  thou  see  in  the 
Sultan's  camp?  Perchance  thou 
didst  see  the  great  Sultan  him- 
self?7' asked  Raphael  breathlessly, 
and  without  waiting  for  an  answer, 
went  on :  "  But  right  glad  will  our 
Rabbi  be  to  see  thee,  for  thou  must 


200      UNDEE  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

surely  bring  a  grain  of  comfort  to 
lighten  his  misfortune." 

"How  now,  misfortune?"  asked 
Joseph. 

"  Hast  thou  not  heard  ? " 

Joseph  shook  his  head.  "  I  have 
had  no  news  of  Maimon  since  we 
rode  from  the  city,  nigh  a  fortnight 
ago.  So  do  thou  without  more  lin. 
gering  read  thy  riddle." 

"After  thou  hast  eaten  and 
rested." 

"Dost  thou  believe  that  I  could 
rest  or  eat  until  I  have  had  the 
meaning  of  thy  words?  Speak, 
Raphael,  'tis  scarce  the  season  to 
dally." 

"Know  then,"  began  Eaphael 
unwillingly,  "that  the  Lord  hath 
laid  the  hand  of  sorrow  heavily 
upon  the  house  of  Maimon.     The 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  201 

Seyid  David  set  sail  many  days 
ago,  and  news  has  been  brought  to 
the  Rabbi  that  the  ship  with  all  on 
board  has  gone  down  at  sea.  It 
was  known  all  over  Fostat  that 
great  riches  were  with  the  Seyid 
David,  even  all  the  wealth  of  the 
Maimons.  The  goldsmithy  is  no 
more,  and  the  Rabbi  hath  been 
pressed  to  abandon  his  sorrow,  for 
the  children  of  the  Seyid  David, 
peace  be  to  him,  are  without  pro- 
tection; and  Moses  Ibn  Maimon, 
who  stands  among  the  foremost  of 
Fostat,  must  cast  about  for  means 
of  subsistence.  Court  favor,  it  doth 
seem,  fills  not  hungry  mouths." 

"  Doubtless  his  great  friends  fall 
away  now  when  he  stands  most  in 
need  of  sympathy,"  said  Joseph,  his 
tone  bitter. 


202      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"  Nay,  there  thou  dost  err,  for  he 
is  more  loved  and  respected  than 
when  a  great  fortune  was  his.  His 
practice  among  wealthy  patients 
hath  grown  greatly,  and  a  few  days 
since  all  Fostat  did  speak  of  the 
honor  offered  him  by  Eichard, 
whom  they  call  the  Lion-hearted 
of  England.  It  was  no  less  than 
that  our  Maimon  should  become 
physician  to  this  king,  who,  it  is 
said,  hath  one  of  the  greatest  courts 
in  Frangistan." 

"And  so  great  a  change  in  so  few 
days,"  said  Joseph  slowly. 

"So  quickly  all  changed  that  I 
did  but  wait  for  thee,  ere  I  returned 
to  my  father's  home  in  Fez,"  said 
Raphael. 

Joseph  looked  as  if  he  had  not 
rightly  understood,  for  he  had  been 


THE  JEW'S  REVENGE  203 

so  taken  up  with  the  sense  of  his 
benefactor's  misfortunes  that  it  had 
not  yet  occurred  to  him  that  he 
would  be  affected  by  it.  Raphael 
return  to  Fez?  A  conception  of 
all  it  meant  suddenly  swept  over 
him.  The  outlook  was  indeed  dis- 
mal. He  had  returned  to  Fostat 
with  new  hopes  for  the  future.  As 
he  was  now  considered  a  workman 
of  some  capacity,  his  earnings  would 
have  increased  considerably.  He 
could,  therefore,  have  afforded  to 
hire  teachers  and,  in  a  way,  set 
about  gratifying  his  ambition.  To 
have  all  these  plans  suddenly  upset, 
made  him  rebel  against  his  fate  and 
feel  as  though  all  the  world  were 
fighting  him. 

It  is  hard  for  a  boy  to  have  his 
dreams  shattered,  yet  he  may  find 


204      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

comfort  and  help  in  the  sympathy 
of  his  friends;  but  Joseph,  already 
breathing  the  strength  of  dawning 
manhood,  could  look  for  no  assist- 
ance but  that  of  his  own  untiring 
efforts.  Although  he  had  no  fear 
for  the  future,  knowing  that  he 
could  easily  obtain  work  in  another 
city,  he  realized  that  he  must  begin 
again,  a  second  time  made  home- 
less through  no  fault  of  his  own.  It 
foreboded  ill  for  the  Count  de  Four- 
noire  that  his  father's  unavenged 
death  still  rankled  in  Joseph's  mind, 
and  that  he  held  in  his  power  the 
cause  of  his  misfortune,  from  whom 
he  intended  to  exact  satisfaction. 
Adversity  had  not  taught  the  medi- 
aeval Jew  forgiveness,  although  he 
rarely  dared  resent  injury  openly. 
Deep   down   in  his   heart  burned 


THE  JEW'S  KEVENGE  205 

a  fire  of  hatred  and  desire  for  re- 
venge, which  occasionally  found  an 
outlet  in  some  money  transaction. 

But  Joseph  was  differently  consti- 
tuted. Much  reading  and  thought 
had  filled  him  with  the  just  but 
unbending  spirit  of  the  ancient  and 
free  Jew.  Raphael  had  never  seen 
his  friend  so  downcast  before,  yet 
he  said  nothing,  but  endeavored  to 
divert  his  attention  by  questioning 
him  about  his  journey.  Late  at 
night  and  long  after  Raphael 
had  heard  of  the  presence  of  the 
Count  in  the  house  both  friends 
sought  rest.  But  in  the  morning 
Raphael  saw  that  his  friend  looked 
no  happier. 

"  Be  not  so  downcast,  Joseph,"  he 
remonstrated.  "Fostat  is  not  all 
the  world.    Come  with  me  to  Fez ; 


206      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

there,  among  my  people,  thou  shalt 
find  a  home.  We  are  poor,  but  we 
are  Jews,  and  thou  art  my  old 
comrade."  Eaphael  laid  his  hand 
affectionately  upon  the  other's. 

Joseph,  touched,  shook  his  head 
slowly. 

"Thou  art  a  generous  friend,  my 
Eaphael,  but  it  would  never  do,  for 
in  Fez  I  know  there  is  more  intoler- 
ance than  here.  My  unlucky  temper 
would  speedily  get  thee  into  trouble. 
Besides,  Eaphael,  I  can  no  longer 
conceal  my  being  a  Jew.  There  is 
that  within  me  which  says  : 
'  Wander,  if  thou  travellest  to  the 
world's  end,  but  seek  some  place 
where  thy  faith  may  be  open,  and 
the  love  of  Israel's  God  no  secret 
shame.'" 

"  But,"  he  continued  after  a  little, 


THE  JEW'S  REVENGE  207 

"  the  proof  of  thy  affection  is  none 
the  less  dear  to  me,  Raphael,  and 
should  aught  that  is  good  ever  befall 
me,  thou  shalt  be  the  first  to  know  it. 
I  must  now  take  my  way  to  the 
Seyid  Maimon,"  he  added,  "to  de- 
liver the  result  of  my  mission  and 
in  a  measure  to  take  leave  of  him, 
for  when  thou  art  gone  I  shall  not 
abide  here.  Do  thou  await  my 
return,  and  look  to  the  slave,  lest 
mayhap  a  chance  offer  him  escape." 
The  thought  of  leaving  the  place 
which  had  become  a  kind  of  home 
to  him  brought  back  all  the  vain 
longing  which  he  had  suffered  after 
his  father's  death.  He  made  his 
way  to  the  Rabbi's  house  with 
mingled  feelings  of  bitterness  and 
misery.  So  wrapped  he  was  in  the 
sense  of  his  own  unhappiness  that 


208     UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

he  hardly  noticed  the  cordiality 
with  which  he  was  received  by 
Maimon  and  by  Esther,  who  seemed 
wonderfully  mature  with  her  sad 
eyes  and  pale  face. 

"  Eight  truly  thou  hast  served 
me,"  said  Maimon,  "  for  mine 
enemies,  who  would  have  had  the 
Sultan  doubt  me,  are  already 
silenced.  Thou  shalt  have  good 
cause  to  mark  my  appreciation." 

"  If  I  have,  indeed,  served  you,  O 
Eabbi,  it  is  but  a  small  part  of  the 
service  I  would  fain  render  you, 
but  let  me  not  intrude  upon  you  in 
your  sorrow.  Ere  I  betake  myself 
to  another  city,  I  would  take  leave 
of  you,  with  as  few  words  as  may 
perchance  express  the  gratitude 
which  is  the  smallest  tribute  that 
Joseph    Ibn  Assan    may  pay  the 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  209 

illustrious  Maimon,"  answered  Jo- 
seph, forcing  the  words  out,  for 
they  seemed  to  stick. 

"  Nay,  let  not  thy  movements  be 
so  rapid,  friend,"  answered  the 
Rabbi,  meeting  Esther's  look  with 
a  slight  smile,  while  Joseph  became 
vaguely  conscious  of  a  change  in 
Maimon's  manner,  and  began  to 
wonder  thereat.  "  First  thou  shalt 
tell  us  of  the  slave  in  thy  posses- 
sion." 

"The  slave!"  exclaimed  Joseph 
with  a  start,  "How  came  you  to 
know  of  him  ? " 

"  Dost  thou  believe  that  we  hear 
naught  that  happeneth?  The  death 
of  my  brother,  may  he  dwell  with 
the  God  of  Israel,  hath  secluded  me 
from  much  that  is  passing.  Never- 
theless the  man  hath  friends  who 


210      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

already  labor  for  his  freedom. 
What  ransom  wilt  thou  demand 
for  this  Gentile?" 

"There  is  no  ransom  for  him, 
Rabbi,  for  the  blood  of  my  father 
stains  his  hand.  On  the  morrow  a 
slave-dealer  takes  him  down  the 
Nile  to  be  sold  into  some  remote 
region." 

The  Rabbi  stared  in  astonishment 
at  the  young  man,  who  seemed  an- 
imated by  some  new  feeling,  which 
Esther  thought  became  him  might- 

"  Joseph,  surely  thou  speakest  not 
in  seriousness  ? "  asked  the  Rabbi. 

"It  is  but  the  fulfilling  of  the 
prayer  which  hath  always  been 
with  me.  It  hath  been  my  dream 
at  night,  and  its  echo  has  sounded 
through    each    day.      Willingly  I 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  211 

would  have  spent  the  rest  of  my 
life  striving  for  the  one  thing  I  have 
gained  and  rejoice  in." 

"  Shall  one  of  the  Jews,  from 
whom  the  Lord  in  His  beneficence 
hath  never  turned  His  face,  degrade 
that  which  hath  the  image  of  the 
Creator?"  asked  Maimonides  sol- 
emnly. 

"  The  Lord  hath  heard  my  pray- 
er," answered  Joseph  slowly.  "  He 
hath  delivered  mine  enemy  into 
mine  hands.    It  is  His  answer." 

"Thou  hast  misunderstood  the 
Lord's  purpose.  If  He  hath  given 
this  man  into  thy  hands,  it  is  but 
to  test  His  children's  obedience  and 
to  prove  that  they  follow  His  word. 
'  Vengeance  is  mine,  I  shall  avenge,7 
saith  the  Lord."  The  Rabbi  raised 
his  hand  as  the  words  rolled  sol- 


212      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

emnly  from  his  lips.  "  Therefore 
thou  shalt  not  harbor  thoughts  of 
revenge,  but  trust  to  God,  "Whose 
ways  are  inscrutable,  and  Who,  in 
His  own  time,  will  reward  the 
patience  of  His  children." 

"That  I  may  not,  O  Rabbi,"  said 
Joseph,  his  voice  trembling.  "  If  I 
listen  unto  you  and  forego  this 
man's  punishment,  I  shall  be  as  one 
who  hath  forgotten  his  father.  At 
my  lying  down  and  at  my  getting 
up  I  shall  hear  his  cries  of  agony 
as  they  stretched  him  across  the 
cruel  bars.  Upon  every  wall  I 
shall  see  his  image  as  he  lay  in 
torture,  and  then  I  shall  see  this 
man,  honored  by  his  own  and 
persecuting  others,  and  he  shall 
stand  as  a  reproach  to  Joseph  Ibn 
Assan,  who  could  so  soon  forget 


THE  JEW'S  REVENGE  213 

the  horrors  of  his  father's  death. 
O  Babbi,  you  will  never  see  what 
mine  eyes  have  beheld.  Here  you 
dwell  in  security  under  Moslem 
rule,  but  the  Jew  in  Europe,  who 
dares  scarce  acknowledge  that  he 
hath  the  wherewithal  to  purchase 
his  meal,  must  live  in  constant  ter- 
ror of  every  torture  that  the  sav- 
agery of  men  may  devise.  His 
children  may  be  struck  down,  and 
he  may  be  left  tortured  half  to 
death  to  endure  the  kick  of  the 
first  slave  who  may  perchance  come 
that  way.  Their  cry,  i  Hep !  Hep V 
comes  to  him  like  the  baying  of 
bloodhounds,  and  he  knows  that  re- 
sistance were  worse  than  futile,  So 
have  mine  eyes  and  ears  been  assail- 
ed, and,  as  I  speak,  the  scenes  again 
rise,  and  I  may  not  turn  from  them." 


214      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"Thus  men,  lost  in  the  contem- 
plation of  their  own  lots,  forget  the 
infinite  love  of  God.  Measure  not 
His  wisdom  by  ours,  for  His  days 
are  as  our  lives.  In  His  own  time 
He  will  hearken  unto  our  prayers, 
and  deliver  us  from  the  persecu- 
tions of  our  enemies.  Did  He  not 
raise  up  Moses  to  lead  our  fathers 
out  of  bondage  into  the  Promised 
Land?  Hath  He  ever  failed  to 
listen  to  the  cries  of  Israel  ?  When 
our  fathers,  wandering  like  dis- 
obedient children,  lifted  up  their 
voices  in  supplication,  did  His 
mercy  ever  fail  them?  In  pros- 
perity and  in  misfortune,  never 
hath  He  without  cause  averted 
His  face.  Wherefore  shouldst  thou 
attempt  to  read  His  purpose?  Break 
not    the    laws    of    thy    Almighty 


THE  JEW'S  KEVENGE  215 

Father  and  of  the  people  He  has 
chosen  to  lead." 

Joseph  said  nothing,  but  paced  to 
and  fro,  battling  with  the  longing 
for  the  revenge  which  conflicted 
with  the  appeal  to  the  Law  of  the 
Almighty.  The  Rabbi,  hoping  to 
touch  him,  continued : 

"Bethink  thee,"  he  said  in  a 
gentler  tone,  "  perchance  the  man 
hath  a  son  who  needs  his  pro- 
tection." 

"  So  had  my  father,  O  Rabbi," 
answered  Joseph,  standing  erect, 
his  eyes  sparkling  and  his  chin 
firmly  set.  "  It  is  but  the  rendering 
of  i  an  eye  for  an  eye  and  a  tooth 
for  a  tooth,'  according  to  our  Law." 

The  Rabbi  shook  his  head,  as 
Joseph  added  in  hard  tones  : 

''  There  would  be  no  rest  for  me, 


216      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

were  I  to  know  that  my  father's 
blood  and  pain  stood  unavenged 
by  his  son.  What  right  had  this 
Gentile  to  take  the  life  of  a  man 
whose  forefathers  were  of  a  cul- 
tured nation,  while  his  own  were 
still  skin-clothed  savages  ?  Our  his- 
tory doth  give  us  every  right  to  be 
considered  this  man's  equal,  yet 
we  must  perforce  bear  the  persecu- 
tions of  such  as  he  without  a  mur- 
mur. Because  one  of  them  falls 
into  the  hands  of  a  Jew,  he  must 
advance  claims  for  consideration 
which  never  affected  him.  Small 
thought  did  he  bestow  upon  my 
need  when  he  took  my  father's  life. 
As  he  felt  for  me  and  mine,  so  may 
he  expect  me  to  feel  for  him  and 
his.  It  is  no  more  than  the  justice 
the  world  owes  us." 


THE  JEW'S  EEVENGE  217 

As  Joseph  spoke,  his  tones  be- 
came harder,  and  his  manner 
showed  a  new  independence,  which 
was  scarcely  influenced  by  the  argu- 
ments of  so  eminent  a  man  as 
Maimon. 

"Thou  must  not  view  it  with  the 
narrowness  of  a  man's  comprehen- 
sion," said  the  Rabbi.  "  Think  thou 
upon  the  infinite  wisdom  of  the 
Lord,  to  Whom  all  time  is  as  noth- 
ing, but  Who  knows  even  thee  and 
thy  misfortune.  Abide  thou  by  my 
words,  and  trust  to  the  Father  Who 
hath  never  failed  His  children  in 
their  true  need.r 

Esther,  who  had  remained  seated 
while  her  uncle  spoke,  now  rose, 
and  went  toward  Joseph. 

"  Surely  thou  wilt  not  do  this 
thing,  Joseph  ? "  said  she  pleadingly . 


218      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

"It  is  manlike  that  thou  shouldst 
desire  revenge  for  the  cruelty  of  thy 
father's  death.  But  it  is  greater 
and  nobler  to  trust  to  our  God,  Who 
sees  alike  the  mighty  and  the  weak. 
Thy  father  is  gone,  and  who  com- 
prehends thy  sorrow  better  than  I ?" 
she  said,  her  eyes  filling.  "This 
man's  children  are  innocent ;  where- 
fore shouldst  thou  rob  them  of  a 
father,  if  the  Lord  hath  seen  fit  to 
let  him  live?" 

He  looked  into  her  brown  eyes, 
his  own  softening  as  he  saw  her 
tears.  Then,  turning  away,  he 
buried  his  head  in  his  hands. 

"My  father,  O  my  father,"  he 
groaned.    "  Tell  me  what  to  do." 

Esther  continued,  softly  and  brok- 
enly : 

"  Thy  father  lost  his  life  at  human 


THE  JEW'S  REVENGE  219 

hands.  The  seas  have  made  me  an 
orphan.  But  it  was  the  will  of  the 
Almighty,  and  who  shall  gainsay 
the  word  of  the  Most  High?" 

Joseph,  in  an  agony  of  conflicting 
emotions,  seated  himself  upon  a 
divan,  his  head  in  his  arms.  Esther 
waited  patiently,  her  eyes  following 
every  movement  the  tortured  soul 
seemed  to  make.  Finally  he  arose 
again,  and,  as  if  almost  dazed,  raised 
his  hand  to  his  head.  Then  she 
placed  her  hand  upon  his  arm,  and 
her  voice  sounded  in  trembling 
but  clear  accents  as  she  spoke  . 

"Joseph,  I  beseech  thee,  for  the 
sake  of  thy  manhood  and  for 
Israel's  honor,  do  not  this  thing." 

A  spasm  of  pain  seemed  to  shoot 
through  his  body. 

"  Esther,"  he  said,  and  the  words 


220      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

were  almost  a  sob, "  thou  hast  gained 
what  neither  argument,  threat,  nor 
yet  bribe  had  won  from  me.  The 
man  is  free." 

"  I  thank  thee,  O  my  friend,"  she 
answered  simply,  and  bowing  her 
head  left  the  room. 

Joseph  seated  himself  upon  the 
edge  of  a  divan,  broken  and  wearied 
by  the  varying  emotions  through 
which  he  had  passed. 

"I  knew  I  was  not  mistaken  in 
thee,"  said  the  Eabbi,  almost  joy- 
fully, after  a  few  minutes'  silence. 
"It  needed  but  the  touchstone  to 
prove  the  gold.  Thou  shalt  not 
regret  it  in  future  years,  when  thou 
shalt  look  back  upon  thy  past  life 
and  find  it  clean  and  pure.  Follow 
the  steps  of  thy  father,  and  add  to 
the  glory  of  his  name." 


THE  JEW'S  REVENGE  221 

Then,  as  he  placed  his  hand  upon 
Joseph's  shoulder,  he  continued : 

11  But  thou  shalt  stay  with  us  this 
night,  for  on  the  morrow  I  would 
speak  to  thee  of  other  things.1' 


CHAPTER  XI 

DREAMS  FULFILLED 

The  Rabbi's  words  were  so  signifi- 
cantly spoken  that  Joseph  with 
impatience  awaited  the  next  morn- 
ing, when  he  should  learn  their 
meaning.  Recollecting  the  hints 
Esther  had  occasionally  dropped, 
he  began  to  believe  that  she  had 
long  known  of  the  Rabbi's  purpose, 
whatever  it  might  be.  Had  circum- 
stances not  been  so  changed,  he 
would  have  concluded  that  the 
mystery  meant  his  promotion  as  a 
goldsmith.  But  as  it  was,  what 
could  there  be  that  Maimon,  high 
in    station,    could    say    to   simple 


DREAMS  FULFILLED  223 

Joseph  Ibn  Assan,  who  was  no  more 
to  the  eminent  man  than  an  hum- 
ble and  faithful  follower  ?  Curbing 
his  restless  thoughts  as  best  he 
could,  Joseph  eagerly  obeyed  when 
he  was  summoned  to  the  Rabbi's 
study  the  next  morning. 

Maimon,  strange  to  say,  was  not 
at  work,  although  he  was  seated  at 
the  table. 

"  I  have  sent  for  thee  that  I  may 
tell  thee  of  something  which  hath 
been  in  my  mind  this  year  agone. 
I  waited  until  I  had  made  sure 
that  the  time  was  ripe,  and  that  I 
had  not  overestimated  thine  intel- 
lect, for  it  imported  me  much  to 
know  that  thou  wert  as  thy  father's 
son  should  be,  ere  I  offered  thee  the 
career  which  thou  shouldst  follow." 

Joseph  stood  with  his  eyes  fast- 


224      UNDER  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

ened  on  the  Kabbi's  face,  hope  and 
expectation  filling  his  heart. 

"Joseph,"  continued  Maimon, 
"thou  hast  spent  two  years  in  my 
service,  and  I  have  followed  thee 
closely.  Hadst  thou  borne  thyself 
other  than  thou  hast,  my  disappoint- 
ment would  have  been  great,  and 
I  should  not  have  spoken  thus  to 
thee." 

It  rushed  into  Joseph's  mind  that 
Maimon's  interest  in  him  was 
deeper  than  he  had  suspected. 

"  Then  your  notice  of  me  was  not 
accidental?"  he  said. 

"  Dost  thou  think  that  the  son  of 
a  friend  is  no  more  to  me  than  a 
goldsmith  who  has  entered  my  ser- 
vice? What  value  has  the  favor 
that  is  mine,  if  it  does  not  bestow 
upon  me  the  power  to  advance  my 


DREAMS  FULFILLED  225 

people  ?  The  Lord  hath  blessed  my 
work,  for  my  worldly  interest 
advances  apace.  Though  I  serve 
Saladin,  even  his  enemy,  the  great 
Richard  of  England,  hath  offered 
Maimon  a  post  at  his  Frankish 
court.  But  here,  with  the  people  I 
lead,  is  my  place.  With  the  help 
of  the  Almighty  no  promise  of 
honor  shall  tempt  me  from  it,  for 
God  hath  set  the  seal  of  approval 
upon  my  actions.  He  took  my 
brother,  may  His  will  be  done," — 
both  speaker  and  listener  bent  their 
heads  in  reverence — "  but  the  treas- 
ure which  I  coveted  for  the 
protection  of  His  children  hath 
been  spared  me.  Therefore  I  shall 
remain  here,  following  the  plans 
I  have  laid.  Of  thy  share  in  them 
thou  shalt  hear  now." 


226      TJKDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

Joseph  was  scarcely  able  to  re- 
strain himself.  With  his  hands 
tightly  clasped  behind  him,  he 
waited  for  Maimon's  next  words. 

"As  thou  dost  know,  I  have 
made  some  discoveries  which  are 
new  to  the  healing  art  of  to-day, 
yet  they  must  all  have  been  known 
to  the  ancient  physician.  But  I 
could  give  the  world  more  than 
this,  had  I  another  to  follow  in  my 
way.  Joseph,  I  have  watched  thee, 
and  know  thee  well.  Thou  art  a 
man  now.  Wilt  thou  study  under 
me  to  be  my  disciple?" 

Joseph,  hardly  comprehending, 
was  silent  a  moment,  and  then 
stammered  out : 

"  Dost  thou  mean  that  I,  Joseph 
Ibn  Assan,  am  to  sit  under  Maimon, 
the  Eagle  of  Israel?" 


DEEAMS  FULFILLED  227 

"  Even  so,"  answered  the  Rabbi ; 
"thou  shalt  enter  into  my  study,  and 
even  when  I  am  no  more  thou  shalt 
be  to  our  people  such  as  I  have  tried 
to  be,  an  interpreter  of  God's  Law 
and  a  protection  to  the  weak." 

Then  placing  his  hand  upon 
Joseph's  head  as  he  stood,  Maimon- 
ides  added  fondly : 

"  The  blessing  of  the  God  of  Jacob 
be  upon  thee,  who  shalt  be  as  dear 
to  me  as  mine  own  son." 

And  so  the  end  of  all  his  vicissi- 
tudes was  that  the  life  which,  even 
in  his  wildest  dreams,  Joseph  had 
never  thought  possible,  came  to  him 
unsought.  So  truly  did  he  fill  the 
great  Rabbi's  hopes  in  his  future 
that  it  was  his  great  fortune  to 
be  the  companion  of  Maimon  when 
he    prepared    to   give   the   world 


228      UNDEK  THE  EAGLE'S  WING 

his  "  Guide  of  the  Perplexed."  This 
work,  which  was  of  importance, 
not  only  to  Judaism,  but  also  to 
the  history  of  mediaeval  philosophy, 
is  still  prized.  It  was  during  the 
creation  of  this  "epoch  making 
work"  that  Joseph  had  the  honor 
of  sharing  the  labors  of  Maimon- 
ides,  as  the  beloved  and  favorite 
disciple  of  the  immortal  Rabbi. 

As  for  Raphael,  his  joy  at  his 
friend's  prosperity  may  be  easily 
imagined.  He  returned  to  Fez,  to 
his  father's  house,  but  the  friend- 
ship of  the  two  was  not  broken,  for 
in  later  years  there  was  again 
established,  where  formerly  had 
stood  the  workshop  of  the  brothers 
Maimon,  another  goldsmithy,  car- 
ried on  by  Raphael  ben  Samuel,  the 
friend  of  Joseph  Ibn  Assan. 


DREAMS  FULFILLED  229 

Esther  continued  to  be  the  light 
of  her  uncle's  heart  and  of  still 
another  who  dwelt  in  the  house. 
As  time  passed,  Joseph  found  that 
the  sweetness  and  brightness  of  her 
nature  but  increased  in  his  sight, 
and  he  always  remembered  the 
nobleness  with  which  she  fought  for 
his  better  self  on  that  unhappy 
night  when  the  Count  de  Fournoire 
regained  his  liberty. 

And  so  we  may  leave  him,  in  the 
home  which  was  henceforth  to  be 
his,  following  the  footsteps  of  the 
famous  man,  whose  beloved  disciple 
he  had  become. 


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